[ebooks] Fontana by John Charles Anicic Jr. in Arts-Photography

Description

In this colorful and detailed history; Joshua Goldstein describes the formation of the Peking opera in late Qing and its subsequent rise and re-creation as the epitome of the Chinese national culture in Republican era China. Providing a fascinating look into the lives of some of the operarsquo;s key actors; he explores their methods for earning a living; their status in an ever-changing society; the methods by which theaters functioned; the nature and content of performances; audience make-up; and the larger relationship between Peking opera and Chinese nationalism. Propelled by a synergy of the commercial and the political patronage from the Qing court in Beijing to modern theaters in Shanghai and Tianjin; Peking opera rose to national prominence. The genrersquo;s star actors; particularly male cross-dressing performers led by the exquisite Mei Lanfang and the "Four Great Female Impersonators" became media celebrities; models of modern fashion and world travel. Ironically; as it became increasingly entrenched in modern commercial networks; Peking opera was increasingly framed in post-May fourth discourses as profoundly traditional. Drama Kings demonstrates that the process of reforming and marketing Peking opera as a national genre was integrally involved with process of colonial modernity; shifting gender roles; the rise of capitalist visual culture; and new technologies of public discipline that became increasingly prevalent in urban China in the Republican era.