M2 Unit 5 lesson 2 Beijing Opera

Beijing opera , the best-known

Chinese Opera, was developed

during the Qing dynasty

(1644-1911) . It is a dramatic

form that includes dance,

theater, music, and

Beijing Opera

skilled performance.

Performers wear dramatic

makeup or masks.

Who is she?

Mei Lanfang

What role do they play

in Beijing Opera?

Sheng

Dan

Jing

Chou

mask

What do you know about Beijing

Opera? Work in pairs and choose

the right answers.

1. When did Beijing Opera start?

a) the late 18th century

b) the late 19th century

c) the late 20th century

a) the late 18th century

2. How many main roles are there

in Beijing Opera?

a) 4 b) 8 c) 12

3. What are eh main instruments

played in Beijing Opera?

a) violin b) jinghu c) drum

d) piano e) sanxian f) guitar

a) 4

b) jinghu

4. Match the main roles with their

names.

sheng male roles with brightly

painted face

dan female roles

jing clown roles

chou male roles

Match the meanings with the pictures

on P24:

Pic.1 They are in the city.

Pic.2 She is in a carriage.

Pic.3 They are in their new

bedroom.

Pic.4 She is on a horse.

Symbols in Beijing Opera

holding a tassel

walking with a

flag on each side

four generals

and four soldiers

an army of

thousands

riding a

horse

riding in a

carriage

Various body movements can represent

actions.

• the clothes worn in a play or film

costume

mix two or more things

• The first step in making a cake is to _______ the milk and butter.combine

• something with special value

treasure

• movements of one’s body in a skilful way acrobatics

• something that covers one’s face

mask

1.This golden ring is a real

________.

2.My mother sewed my _______ for

the school play.

3.I love watching __________ but it

looks very difficult!

treasure

acrobatics

costume

4. The first step in making a cake

is to _______ the milk and

butter.

5. The singer wore a _______ that

was made of wood.

combine

mask

1

23

45

6

7

9

11

8

10

Listen to the first and second part

of a TV programme. Use the

Strategies to answer the questions.

1. What skills do Beijing Opera

actors need to have ?

Acting, talking, singing,

music dancing and

acrobatics.

On open-air stages, in markets,

streets, teahouses or temple

courtyards.

2. Where was Beijing Opera

performed at the beginning ?

3.Why does it have very loud music

and a piercing singing style ?

Because at the beginning, Beijing

Opera was performed mostly on

open-air stages.

4. Why do performers wear

brightly coloured costumes?

With bright colour, their costumes are more impressive and the crowd can see them more clearly.