Diplomatic, Migrant, Intercultural: Chinese Opera’s Performance Modes in the Contemporary West

Authors

Josh Stenberg

Abstract

This article examines how Chinese opera reaches audiences in the West, identifying them as separate modes of performance framing and delivery. Three modes are identified: 1) diplomacy-generated performances featuring touring professionals from the Sinophone world; 2) migrant Chinese opera groups in multicultural Western cities; and 3) professional Chinese opera performers who appear in the Western world at the invitation of Western theatres or festivals, and whose participation in performances is often experimental or consciously intercultural. These modes generate shows that pursue different goals and vary in their genres, venues, budgets, audiences, performance technique and repertoires. They contribute to different patterns of reception, with important effects for the status of Chinese culture abroad. As the article shows, attention to the modes of Chinese opera performance is important because Western images of Chinese opera are determined by what Chinese opera offerings are available for viewing for a given audience.

Recommended Citation

Stenberg, Josh (2024) "Diplomatic, Migrant, Intercultural: Chinese Opera’s Performance Modes in the Contemporary West," Comparative Drama: Vol. 58: Iss. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/compdr/vol58/iss3/2