![]() 2 Actually, the study of vocal vibrato has a long history, which can be dated back to the 1930s when Seashore analyzed the vibrato in singers and instrument players. Their findings mainly involve the acoustics of the voice of Peking Opera roles, such as “phonation type,” “singer's formant,” “long-term average spectrum,” and “spectrum slope.”1, 2 Through acoustic analyses, Sundberg et al pointed out that the vibrato rate of Peking Opera (about 3.5 Hz) was considerably slower than that of Western classical singing, and the spectra of vibrato-free tones contained unbroken series of harmonic partials sometimes reaching up to 17 kHz. More and more researchers, such as Wang and Sundberg et al, have been attracted to the art of Chinese operas, especially by that of Peking Opera, and are interested in the unique voice features of their various roles, which are considerably different from those of Western operas. ![]() Chou, also called “Small Colorful Face,” refers to a young or middle-aged male role that says or does funny and silly things to amuse the audience. Jing refers to a middle-aged male role, called “Big Colorful Face.” Sometimes, a woman plays this male role using special skills of phonation and articulation. Hua Dan is a role of young and naughty girl. Wu Dan is a young or middle-aged female who specializes in martial acting. Qing Yi, as the most important role of Dan, refers to a young or middle-aged woman who specializes in singing. Dan is a female role that includes Qing Yi, Lao Dan, Wu Dan, and Hua Dan. ![]() Lao Sheng means the Old Man role, whereas Xiao Sheng is the Young Man role. ![]() Sheng is a male role that includes Lao Sheng and Xiao Sheng. With “virtualization” and “stylization” as its prominent features, Peking Opera has formed four standard categories of roles, different roles possessing apparently different characteristics of voice: Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou. Therefore, it is an embodiment of China's classical culture, reflecting the thoughts, emotions, religions, aesthetic values, and other ideological elements of the Chinese people. Peking Opera, which originated in the 17th century (Qing Dynasty), is the typical representative of China's traditional opera, and is a comprehensive performing art consisting of music, painting, literature, dancing, singing, recitation, acting, etc. ![]()
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