Architectural Acoustic Study on Chinese Opera
Chinese Opera has become a traditional art form since Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) and became popular among common people. Chinese Opera is a comprehensive performing art that combines singing, music, dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts, and pantomime. It represents the culmination and distillation of two thousand years of Chinese civilization. Accompanied by traditional musical instruments, actors present unique melodies as well as dialogues which were beautifully written and of high literary value.
Peking Opera artist performed “The Drunken Concubine” (Photo VCG)
Chinese Opera Singing is accompanied by traditional Chinese acoustic music instruments: Erhu, Banhu, Yueqin, Sheng, Pipa, et cetera. Most of the musical played at Chinese Opera are string instruments with frequencies ranging from about 125 Hz to 4000 Hz.
Illustration of Chinese Acoustical Music Instrument accompany Chinese Opera Singing
Originally Chinese Opera Architectural Acoustic Features was Pavilion Stage above the audience. The caisson (dome shape ceiling) and backstage wall reflected and amplification acoustics sound to the audience area. The caisson is a wooden construction system that covers opera stages for rain protection and sound control. Caissons in China display a diverse range of geometric expressions, delicate manufacturing, structural behaviors, and acoustic qualities
This footage show how Dome Shape of Caisson amplified acoustics sound and summing with rear stage wall reflection sound to the audience
Architecture of Early Chinese Opera House is Amphitheatre Pavilion with caisson ceiling. The oldest amphitheater pavilion for Chinese Opera is Niuwang Temple, Shaanxi Province built in 1283 AD. Width: 7.45 m; Depth: 7.42 m; Height: 3.79 m
This footage shows the early design of the Caisson in the oldest amphitheater pavilion Niuwang Temple
The Changyin Pavilion, built from 1772 to 1776 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, is the stage of a royal theater. The theater includes three structures: the stage at Changyin Pavilion, the auditorium in the Yueshi Building and the backstage is inside the Banxi Building, all located in Ningshou Palace - also known as the Qianlong Garden - which is in the northeast of the Forbidden City's inner court.
The isometric drawing of the Changyin Pavilion shows the 7 areas of the Building Architecture
Such equipment enables the artists to present a variety of dramatic effects. Performers and settings could “emerge from beneath the floor” or “descend from the heaven,” with the well allowing the actors to perform scenarios such as lotuses blooming from springing waters.
File of artist performing traditional opera at Changyin Pavilion after reopen. (Photo China Daily)
