Beijing Opera is the most typical of all Chinese traditional dramatic art forms and the largest Chinese opera form. Having a history of about 200 years, it is developed from absorbing (吸收) many other dramatic forms, mostly from the local drama “Huiban”, which was popular in South China during the 18th century. It is a scenic (戏剧的) art including music, performance, literature, aria(唱腔) and face painting.
Theatrical art forms in many other countries do not present singing, dancing and spoken parts in one single drama. An opera singer, for example, neither dances nor speaks on stage; there are no singing or dancing parts in a modern play; in a dance drama, the dancer has no speaking role and does not sing either. Traditional Chinese drama, including Beijing Opera, is a kind of entertainment which includes spoken parts, singing, dancing and acrobatics(杂技).
Besides its presence in China, Beijing Opera has spread to many other places. Mei Lanfang, one of the most famous performers of all time, was the first to introduce Beijing Opera to foreigners and made highly successful tours to foreign countries.
“You will be puzzled (困惑的) all the way through and a little bored from time to time; but you will be charmed and interested. You will be strongly attracted to Beijing Opera even if you know nothing of the dramatic background.” This is how one American traveller described his first experience in watching Beijing Opera.
Beijing Opera is China’s national opera and it is full of Chinese cultural traditions. Welcome to China and enjoy Beijing Opera!
11. How long is the history of Beijing Opera?
A.One hundred years. | B.Two hundred years. |
C.Three hundred years. | D.Four hundred years. |
12. According to Paragraph 3, what does the writer think of Mei Lanfang?
A.He played an important role in spreading Beijing Opera. |
B.He isn’t as famous as the other Beijing Opera performer. |
C.He never introduced Beijing Opera to the world. |
D.He is a performer who doesn’t like to travel around the world. |
13. Which of the following is True about Beijing Opera?
A.There are no dancing parts in modern Beijing Opera. |
B.Beijing Opera presents singing dancing and spoken parts. |
C.Beijing Opera hasn’t absorbed the other art forms. |
D.Nowadays, young people aren’t interested in Beijing Opera. |
14. What does “charm” underlined in Paragraph 4 most probably mean in Chinese?
15. What’s the writer’s purpose in writing the article?
A.To show us the foreigners’ opinions. | B.To introduce Mei Lanfang. |
C.To tell the differences between dramas. | D.To introduce Beijing Opera. |