Description
Chinese Opera looks at Chinese society through an exciting
series of photographs of operatic performances from many regions of the
country. The book introduces the reader to this unique theatrical form
and tells the traditional stories that are its narrative foundation.
Siu Wang-Ngai's extraordinary images, taken in natural light during
performances, lovingly reveal the visual excitement of Chinese opera
and point to the differences in costuming and presentation that
distinguish each regional style and character type.
Reviews
This is the ideal coffee-table book; gorgeous pictures with pithy text, providing an insight into not only the art, but the history, folklore and traditions of China.
- Alexandra Eadie
Lovrick and Hong Kong-based photographer Siu Wang Ngai effectively lift the curtain on the mysteries of this ancient and venerable artform in a lavishly-produced overview of its many conventions and styles.
- Vancouver Sun
The photographs ... are extraordinary theatrical records by any standards.... Siu has managed to capture the drama, colour and humanity of this theatre form. ... a remarkable book on Chinese opera... as well as being interesting to the converted, will also be an invaluable aide to newcomers to the theatre form ... laudably-straightforward language.
- The Review (Hong Kong), Sept. 6, 1997