Abstract
In 1940s, the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taiwan, along with a lot of amateur artists accomplished in singing and dancing of Kunqu Opera. Due to unlike and separate social environments, Kunqu Opera developed into two different ways in Taiwan and Chinese mainland since then. In contrast with Taiwan’s choice to maintain the tradition of Kunqu Opera, especially that of 1930s as much as possible, Chinese mainland turns to modernize this art to cater to social trends. This paper analyses two versions of the same scene “Broken Bridge” (断桥) from Taiwan and Chinese mainland in spoken language, melody, literary form of lyrics, dance, stage set and costumes to try to find the factors that are not changed, which can be understood as the core factors with inherited cultural values of the intangible cultural heritage. Based on these core factors, the effective protection is possible. This research shows that although Kunqu Opera in Chinese mainland is gradually changing, particularly turning realistic as opposed to the one keeping impressionistic in Taiwan, there are some factors almost untransformed: the melody (kunqiang), literary form of lyrics (qupai style), costumes evolving from the dress of Ming dynasty. An effective protection method of Kunqu Opera should put emphasis on these factors.
Highlights
As a constantly changing heritage, the intangible cultural heritage is always considered as lack of authenticity, the changing is always based on several rules, which means even though other factors are changing, the core factors are remained as inherited cultural values all the time
China’s intangible cultural heritage Kunqu Opera is taken as an example, Chinese mainland’s modern style and Taiwan’s classical style, which have the same roots but evolve towards divergent directions as a result of isolation and recommunication of the two areas, will be compared in spoken language, melody, literary form of lyrics, dance, stage set and costumes to find out core factors that are not changed even in different social environments till
Some factors of intangible cultural heritage are changing all the time, the evolution of this heritage is based on some core factors
Summary
As a constantly changing heritage, the intangible cultural heritage is always considered as lack of authenticity, the changing is always based on several rules, which means even though other factors are changing, the core factors are remained as inherited cultural values all the time. China’s intangible cultural heritage Kunqu Opera is taken as an example, Chinese mainland’s modern style and Taiwan’s classical style, which have the same roots but evolve towards divergent directions as a result of isolation and recommunication of the two areas, will be compared in spoken language, melody, literary form of lyrics, dance, stage set and costumes to find out core factors that are not changed even in different social environments till now. Taught and affected by these amateur artists immigrated from Chinese mainland, students cherish the art’s style of 1930s as well, which helps to create an atmosphere to retain and recover the tradition of this intangible cultural heritage as much as possible. To compare Shuimo Kun Opera Troupe’s performing style with the troupes from Chinese mainland can find the differences of Kunqu Opera evolving in divergent social environments, and to find the similarities as core factors of transmitted cultural values.
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