论戏曲艺术的起源

ON THE ORIGIN OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL OPERA

中国的戏曲源远流长。在它的孕育过程中,先秦祭神的歌舞和调谑的'俳优',汉魏集乐舞、俳优、魔术和杂技于一体的'百戏',南北朝兼备歌舞和故事的乐舞伎艺,隋唐有角色分工的'参军戏',都各自从音乐成分和科白表演等方面促成了中国戏曲的特征;加上各个时期西域和四夷的少数民族的技艺和音乐的汇合,遂于宋代形成了综合多种艺术因素的中国戏曲。

The Chinese traditional opera goes back to ancient times. During its process of birth, the Qin Dynasty's singing and dancing when offering sacrifices to gods and the buffoonery 'Paiyou,' the Han and Wei Dynasties' 'Baixi' which is an incorporation of musical dance, Paiyou, magic, and acrobatics, the Northern and Southern Dynasties' professional 'Ji' art, which includes singing and dancing and stories, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties' 'Canjun Play,' which has the division of roles,—all these have their respective devotions to the characteristics of the Chinese traditional opera in its musical, acting and spoken parts. All these, in the Song Dynasty, together with the blend of the minority nationalities' artistry and music from 'the Western Regions' and 'the Four Minorities,' help bring birth to the Chinese traditional opera, which is a combination of a number of artistic elements.