This course will focus on the historical and cultural background, literary aesthetics, music, and performance of Kunqu, China’s classical opera. After viewing the lecture videos presented by scholars and renowned maestros in the field of Kunqu, students’ understanding and appreciation of Chinese performing arts, classical literature and traditional culture will be enhanced.
The Beauty of Kunqu Opera
The Chinese University of Hong KongAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 10 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, German, Chinese (Traditional)
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 10 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, German, Chinese (Traditional)
Offered by
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all corners of the world. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an expansive alumni network.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
An Introduction to the Beauty of Kunqu Opera
Welcome to The Beauty of Kunqu Opera! The following lecture videos will give you some ideas of the historical background and characteristics of Kunqu, China’s classical opera that originated more than 600 years ago and blossomed during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (around 16th – 17th centuries). The introduction is followed by excerpts and analysis of The Peony Pavilion, Kunqu’s masterpiece. The poetic artistry shown in the arias, dialogues and dance movement of the characters exemplifies the aesthetic achievement of Kunqu.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 45 min)
5 videos
1.2. High points of Kunqu during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties4m
1.3. The socio-historical background of Kunqu in 16th- and 17th-century China6m
1.4.The Peony Pavilion, its poetry and performance20m
1.5. From page to stage: The Peony Pavilion as masterpiece8m
1 practice exercise
Week 130m
1 hour to complete
The Beauty of Kunqu Music
Kunqu means music/song (qu) that originated from the district of Kunshan, Jiangsu province. The word itself shows the fundamental role played by music in this Chinese classical opera. This week, Prof. Lindy Li Mark from the California State University, East Bay will talk about the musical aspect of Kunqu. What are the musical features of Kunqu melodies? What is tune-type and what does a traditional score of Kunqu look like? How is the music of Kunqu different from that of the Western operas? What instruments are used in a Kunqu ensemble? Answers to these questions can be found in the lecture videos.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 45 min)
5 videos
2.2. Musical features of Kunqu melodies8m
2.3. Analytical definition of tune-type: qupai18m
2.4. Contrasts between Western opera and Kunqu opera6m
2.5. Traditional instruments of Kunqu ensemble: changmian6m
1 practice exercise
Week 230m
2 hours to complete
The Art of Kunqu Performance: the Male Role-Types
Just like other genres of Chinese opera, Kunqu has a broad range of role-types, such as male (sheng), female (dan), painted face (jing) and comic (chou). From this week on, legendary performing artists who have devoted their whole lives to Kunqu will talk about the role-types they specialize in and their facial makeup, costume, singing, speaking and movements. In addition, they will demonstrate some of the very important repertoires in Kunqu and share with us the characteristics of each of them.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 85 min)
6 videos
3.2.1. Singing and speaking of the young scholar role-type10m
3.2.2. Foot work and hand gestures of the young scholar role-type11m
3.2.3. Hand, eye,body, and step combined: "Repartee of Zithers", a scene from The Jade Hairpin16m
3.3. Demostration of the young official role-type: "Looking Homeward", a scene from The Shepherd15m
3.4. Demostration of the great official role-type: "Lamenting before the Statue", a scene from The Palace of Eternal Life19m
1 practice exercise
Week 330m
2 hours to complete
The Art of Kunqu Performance: the Female Role-Type
The female role-type is another prominent role-type of Kunqu and can be divided into a number of subtypes. In this week lively lectures and demonstration by Maestros Zhang Jingxian (mature female), Zhang Jiqing (young noble lady), Liang Guyin (vivacious young female) and Wang Zhiquan (martial female) will show us the charisma of the diversified female characters on the Kunqu stage from Chinese classics such as The Lute, The Peony Pavilion and Journey to the West.
2 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 95 min)
9 videos
4.2.1. Demonstration of the mature female role-type6m
4.3.1."Search for the Dream", a scene from The Peony Pavilion: imaging the romantic mindset of a young woman18m
4.3.2. "Search for the Dream", a scene from The Peony Pavilion: disappointment13m
4.4.1. Benefiting from many masters: Liang Guyin studies "Earthly Desires"6m
4.4.2. Focus on critical points: using eye movement and acting distracted as she recites15m
4.4.3. Pantomime, song, and dance combined: "counting arhats" and escaping down the mountain9m
4.5.1. Equal demands of singing and martial arts in “Borrowing the Plantain Leaf Magic Fan”, a scene from The Journey to the West8m
4.5.2. Innovation in the scene: "belly pain"9m
1 practice exercise
Week 430m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE BEAUTY OF KUNQU OPERA
by HCSep 8, 2016
A general introduction for people who have watched Kunqu yet also would like to know "how to appreciate Kunqu". The part that those masters presenting the acting, singing, etc. is always the best.
by LHMay 2, 2020
After taking this course, i start to know how to appreciate Kunqu. Now i love Kunqu very much. Hope that more people can learn how to appreciate the beauty of Kunqu through this amazing course.
by ISJun 9, 2019
Great Course. Went and saw the Jade Hairpin in D.C. the day after I completed this course. It was a nice desert now able to understand and witness what the professor's had described.
by XZJun 7, 2017
The overall structure is fine. But it would be better if the answers and, if any, explanation for quiz are available.
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