A Study On The Scientific Vocalisation For The Lao Sheng Role In Beijing Opera

This paper offers a scientific study on the vocality of Laosheng-Role in Beijing opera, from medical and physiologic perspectives. It deals with Laosheng-Role's singing and reciting as well as vocality under scientific basis and related issues. The author of this thesis has both practical experiences in medicine and in stage performance of Peking opera. This unique background of his learning experiences enables him to carry on the research on the'art of Peking opera'a special perspective which provides the artists a practical support on their stage performance, theoretically.This thesis deals with the process and mechanism of vocality during the performance in Peking opera. The paper starts with the achievements which have been gained out of the art of singing in Chinese drama and opera from the ancient literature and also introduces the shortcomings in practical aesthetics. Later, the paper deals with the overview on related methodology in vocality of Laosheng-Role in Peking opera. From the angle of static state, it introduces the structure of vocal chord while from dynamic point of view, it tackles the roles of basic principles on the process of vocality and related organs. The paper particularly emphasizes on the problems which frequently bother the actors on vocality such as mutation, aging of the vocal chords, abnormal and womanly tambers. Through social and psychological studies, it analyzes the changes in styles of vocalists singing, influenced by the tastes of the audience. According to the mainstream formed by the specialty of Laosheng-Role, this thesis analyzes the gradual changes of methodology in vocality performed by four gentlemen:Cheng Chang-geng, Tan Xin-pei, Yu Shu-yan and Yang Bao-sen, of different generations. Tastes and appreciation of the audience have also been introduced, from original big-volume to subtle-sentimentality, to everlasting-rhythm and finally to emotional-feeling (touching). The performance of different styles during the singing process reflects the desire of appreciation on Peking opera from the audience.