This book introduces from original to nowadays, the development of this opera. It also describes the music for voices in a Chinese opera.
Table of Contents
Chapter Ⅰ
Origins of the Drama _ 1
1. The story of Yingying by Yuan Zhen _ 1
2. Western Chamber Romance Zhugongdiao by Dong Jieyuan _ 8
3. Yuan zaju The Romance oF the Western Chamber by Wang Shifu _ 18
4. The southern opera and the Kunqu opera: The Romance of the Western Chamber _ 24
Chapter Ⅱ
The Spread of the Drama_ 30
1. The spread of the drama at home _ 30
2. The spread of the drama abroad _ 47
Chapter Ⅲ
Aspects of the Drama_ 55
1. The place-the Monastery of Universal Salvation _ 55
2. Main characters _ 58
3. Synopsis of the ten scenes _ 67
4. Roles, music, facial makeup, costumes, and stage properties _ 75
5. Critiques of the libretto _ 81
Script of the Drama _ 103
Kunqu Opera ABC _ 188
Works Consulted and Cited _ 238
