Only male actors were allowed to take part, with young boys playing the role of women. At this moment Peking opera had already taken shape with a style of its own.

Later on, several great Hubei Troupes came together and perform along with Anhui troupes. During that period was only staged for the court and not among the common people. This took place as part of the celebrations of Emperor Qianlong for his 8 th birthday.

The Peking Opera started when a joint group popularly known as “Four Great Anhui Troupes” brought Anhui (presently Huiju) to Beijing. Well, how Peking Opera Started is quite interesting. In 1828 several famous Hubei Troupes went and perform with the Anhui troupes. Peking Opera Started in 1790 when a group named “four Great Anhui Troupes” brought with them Anhui Opera to Beijing. In the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the famous Empress Dowager Cixi, the Peking Opera went through fast development. It formed its own exceptionally stylized performing technique and music from the best of each style. Peking Opera has gotten performing techniques, music, and repertoire Qingqiang Opera, Kun Opera, and traditional folk tunes. Many people believe that Peking Opera slowly into being when famous troupes from Anhui province visited Beijing. In as much as it is referred toa Peking opera, it originates from the provinces of Anhui and Hubei. It is considered a pronouncement of the aesthetic that is ideal for opera in traditional Chinese society and it is a recognizable element of China’s cultural heritage. The one being trained learns basic instructions through observation, oral instruction, and imitation. It is majorly transmitted through master-student training. Peking opera of China tells the Stories of daily life, politics, history, and society while entertaining the society. The social identities and personalities of characters are portrayed by colors and patterns as well as exaggerated facial make-up. The actors and actresses follow an established choreography were movements of the eyes, feet, hands, and torsos. The performance of Peking Opera is distinguished by a symbolic and formulaic style. The music in the Peking Opera of China is responsible for setting the pace for the show, guiding the progress of the story, shaping the characters, and creating a particular atmosphere. The composition of its librettos is concerning a strict set of rules that rhyme and prize form. Additionally, the Beijing dialect is primarily used in the recitation and singing of Peking Opera. It is widely practiced all over China and its performance centers are in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. Peking Opera of China is a performance art that combines martial arts, acting, reciting, and singing. Peking opera, or Beijing opera (Chinese: 京劇 pinyin: Jīngjù, Jingxi), is the most dominant form of Chinese opera, which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics.

Nonetheless, Peking Opera remains the most distinguished and representative among the operas in China and falls among the three major theatrical systems all over the world. In provinces, regional opera is very popular. Interestingly, there are more than 360 styles of opera in China which are still active to date.

Chinese opera masks history