Chinese Kunqu Opera: Classic Show for Cultural EliteⅡ

History of Kunqu Opera and Peony Pavilion

Kunqu opera originally called Kunshan Qiang or Kunqiang was born in Kunshan, Suzhou City. Kunqu opera is one of the most famous and oldest opera shows in history of China. Kunqu opera is also renowned as Kunju. Kunqu opera is the artistic representative of Chinese traditional culture, especially the gem of Chinese opera art and the orchid flower in gardens of Chinese operas. Roughly in middle of the 14th century, Kunqu was firstly shaped in the region around Kunshan, Jiangsu province. In Ming Dynasty, it belonged to the Opera System of South China and was ranked one of Four Top Vocal Operas Nationwide, equally famous as Yiyang Vocal Opera, Yuyao Vocal Opera and Haiyan Vocal Opera.Subsequently, Kunqu Opera became the most famous and influential vocal operas in Ming and Qing Dynasty. And diversity of operas grew up based on learning Kunqu, so, Kunqu also boasts The Mother of Chinese Operas. Kunqu Opera is seized of the most overall performance system. Thanks to its profound historic background and abundant legacy, Kunqu has been the biggest fruit in the process of national cultural and artistic development aside from Peking Oprea. Hence, Kunqu plays a critical role in China's history of literature, opera, music and dancing.