The Thematic Structure and Development Trends of Chinese Opera Research—Based on an Examination of Opera Literature from the Past Five Years
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66069/ojspub.26820801Keywords:
Chinese opera, Opera studies, Stylistic research, Disciplinary constructionAbstract
From 2021 to 2025, as the creation and performance of Chinese opera continued to advance and the revival of classic productions unfolded, related research has been characterized by an expansion of research topics and a diversification of methodologies. On the one hand, traditional topics such as national opera, the Chinese school of opera studies, and the interpretation of classic productions have been continued; on the other hand, areas such as female characters, digital dissemination, and modern production have garnered increased attention. Overall, the scope of research has expanded from the levels of works and performance to include creative and performance mechanisms, media dissemination, and the artistic ecosystem, reflecting a trend toward broader research topics, deeper problem awareness, and a strengthened connection between theoretical research and creative and performance practices.
References
Qian Renping. Yearbook of Chinese Opera 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press, 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021.
Li Shiyuan. A Preliminary Study of the “Yan’an Version” of the Opera The White-Haired Girl*[J]. Music Research, 2021(4):56–66.
Wu Jia. A Theoretical Explanation of the Construction of the Discipline of “Opera Studies” [J]. Chinese Musicology, 2021(4):133–139.
Zhang Baohua, Yu Xueyou. Chinese Chamber Opera Composition in the New Era: Genre, Form, Themes, Content, Musical Style, and Evaluation [J]. Music Art (Journal of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music), 2022(1):38-48+4.
Liu Danni. A Review of Several Important Issues in Chinese Opera Criticism Since the 21st Century [J]. Journal of Tianjin Conservatory of Music, 2022(2):40-58.
Ju Qihong. On the Inheritance and Development of Aria Composition in the “Banqiang” Style of Chinese National Opera [J]. Music Research, 2022(4):42-49.
Dai Jiafang, Liu Sheng. A Study on the Centennial Evolution of Opera Creation and Performance Mechanisms in Mainland China [J]. Journal of the Central Conservatory of Music, 2022(3):3-17.
Ju Qihong. An Analysis of the Classification of Chinese Opera and Related Historical and Theoretical Issues [J]. Music Research, 2023(3):137-144.
Ju Qihong. The Aesthetic Construction of Chinese National Opera Performance Art [J]. Music Art (Journal of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music), 2023(3): 28–41+4.
Xu Wenzheng. On the Musical Structure of Chinese National Opera [J]. Music Research, 2023(6): 114–126.
Ju Qihong. My Views on Several Issues Concerning the Substantive Content and Positioning of the Discipline of “Opera Studies” [J]. Chinese Musicology, 2024(1): 93–96.
Wang Cizhao. The Definition of Opera and the Relationship Between Music and Drama in Opera [J]. Music Research, 2024(4): 122–131.