Su Shaoqing's Peking Opera Theory And Criticism

Su Shaoqing(1890-1971),styled Xiangchen,was born in Xuzhou,Jiangsu Province.He was a Peking Opera theorist,critic and educator.Su Shaoqing loved Peking Opera since she was a child.Later,she learned Peking Opera from Chen Fusheng,Chen Yanheng,Wang Yufang,etc.In her whole life,she was deeply immersed in the art of Tan Xinpei and was known as the "Four Big Tan Piao".Su Shaoqing’s theories and criticism of Peking Opera cover all aspects of the art,showing the flourishing situation of the development and inheritance of Peking Opera at that time.The first chapter is about Su Shaoqing’s dramatic activities and writings,which is divided into two sections.In the first section,Su Shaoqing’s experience in the performance period of new plays(1912-1915)is summarized and texted.During this period,Su Shaoqing actively participated in the creation and performance of new plays,and led the association to Japan for exchange,which laid a solid foundation for his broad critical vision.The second section focuses on Su Shaoqing’s study and research achievements of Peking Opera(1916-1971),and summarizes his recorded records,compiled books and educational activities.Su Shaoqing devoted himself to the study and research of Peking Opera during this period,which provided a stable professional guarantee for the formation of his theory of Peking Opera and the fairness and accuracy of his criticism.The second chapter studies Su Shaoqing’s theory of Xipi origin and flow.Su Shaoqing started from the evolution of music--"the evolution of north and south tunes",and according to the evolution process of "tunes",he asserted that Xipi tunes evolved from Qin tunes(Bangzi tunes),while Bangzi tunes evolved from Yuan zaju opera.There was a direct inheritance relationship between the three,and he came to the conclusion that Xipi tunes were the direct descendant of Yuan tunes.The third chapter mainly discusses Su Shaoqing’s Peking Opera function theory.Su Shaoqing emphasized the educational function of Peking Opera.According to the Confucian thought of "music education",he proposed the "Guang Yue Fulfilling Education Round",which advocated "composing music to be the same as the common people,rectifying music to change the common people,and Guangyue to change the common people".Starting from this,this chapter summarizes the premise,essence and principle of Su Shaoqing’s "Guang Le Adult Education" from three aspects of "popularity","ethics" and "health" of Peking Opera.The fourth chapter summarizes Su Shaoqing’s criticism of Peking Opera.Su Shaoqing’s criticism of Peking Opera has a wide range.This paper summarizes four aspects of his theory and criticism of Peking Opera,which are the most representative and can best reflect his theory and thought of criticism: "pure art","Tan Diao debate","Four Famous Artists","Box Office and the examination of fans",and discusses in detail.They represent Su Shaoqing’s artistic rules in Peking Opera,his singing and performance in Peking Opera,and his theoretical thoughts on the historical view of Peking Opera.Su Shaoqing has always insisted on the aesthetic orientation of Peking Opera art,which resulted in his fair and objective criticism idea.