Let us start by taking a look at the stage and props. In order to appreciate Chinese opera, the uninitiated spectator should leave behind all the concepts he may have about Western opera and enter into this completely new, unimaginable world. The civilian performances, on the other hand, were calm and peaceful and almost always dealt with everyday themes involving happy or unfortunate tales of love. Military performances included lots of action, fighting and violent scenes of all descriptions.
Later, these semi-religious works took on an entirely historical or dramatic role and were classified into wu (military) and wen (civilian). As time went by, sacred rituals became more secular and began to include heroic deeds and victories gained by the forefathers of those in power, as a kind of posthumous homage to the deceased.
These shen-hsi (sacred performances) were performed by magician-dancers called wu. At that point, opera was mainly a magical, religious ritual consisting of sacred songs and dances. It dates back to the early stages of the Hsia dynasty founded around 2200BC. Chinese opera in its most primitive form has been in existence for over four thousand years.
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