Foreword 1
The Birth and Evolution of Peking Opera 13
Anhui Troups Moved into Beijing 14
The Art of Listening,Old-Style Theaters 19
Old Beijing in Peking Opera's Heyday 24
Theatrical Companies and Old-Style Opera Schools 28
Theaters,Temple Fairs and Tanghui 33
The Stage,Props And Orchestra 41
A Table andTwo Chairs 42
Wen Wu Chang 47
Performing Art 51
Four Roles of Sheng,Dan,Jing and Chou 52
Acting 58
Singing,Dancing and Acting Skills 62
"Realms"of Acting 66
Performers and Performing Schools 69
Nan Dan,or Men Playing Female Roles 76
Generations of Famous Actors 79
Mei Lanfang,Famous Dan Impersonator 86
Classic Plays 91
Modern Peking Operas 109
Conventions of Peking Opera 115
It Is Not Easy to Appreciate Peking Opera 119
Peking Opera in the Contemporary Era 125
Appendix:Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties 131