Improvisation in a Ritual Context: The Music of Cantonese Opera

Sau Y. Chan
ISBN: 978-962-201-457-2
Chinese University Press
389 pag. hardcover 16 x 24 cm 1992

Among the over 350 regional styles of traditional Chinese music drama, Cantonese opera is one of the most often perfomed genres in China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Within the genre's tradition, a systematic use of improvisation has evolved to resolve problems and respond to demands brought forth by the environment, and the ritual context in which most of the performances take place. This book studies the musical structure of the genre, with its focus on the use of improvisation and the performance context.