LU Genzhang

The Languages of Jingju (Beijing/Peking “opera”): Thought, Feeling, and Identity in Visual and Aural Stylization

Jingju, a performing art of over 200 years, is regarded as possibly the highest artistic expression of the rich culture and tradition of China. Combining singing, speaking, martial art forms and abstract movement, Jingju is not only an artistic treasure, but also an archive of China’s history as told by the extensive repertoire performed. The patterns of physical and vocal stylization, percussion, and melody, tempo, and rhythm that characterize Jingju create a rich aesthetic world.

Yang Family Women Generals in Hawaii

The ongoing exchange program between the Jiangsu Province Jingju Company and the University of Hawaii is over 25 years old, and is currently training and mounting its sixth production of English-language Jingju—the widely popular 1960s play Women Generals of the Yang Family. How are Jingju plays chosen for University of Hawaii training and production? How are the scripts and music, the movement and combat, adapted for American college performers? How is training conducted, and what is the design process for these cross-cultural exchanges?

Jingju 京剧 (Beijing/Peking Opera): Three Renowned Artists Discuss the Creation of Roles

In February 2002, the University of Hawaii Department of Theatre and Dance will stage the jingju “Judge Bao and the Case of Qin Xianglian,” under the direction of Professor Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak. She has invited three leading jingju artists (performers and musician) of international renown to help teach and train the Hawaii students. Professor Wichmann-Walczak, who has enthralled Honolulu, Beijing and Shanghai audiences with her jingju productions and performances, will present the artists and interpret their talks.