Wu Gang，Portrait by Huang Yongyu， 1987 Born in Beijing in 1949. Wu Gang lives and works in Paris. A graduate of the photography department of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts. he was a long-time photographer at the periodical Chinese Theater （Zhongguo Xiju）. He is a member of the China Theatre A Ssociation and the China Photographers Association. He was the winner of the Seventh China Photography Awards. Wu Gang currently organizes cultural events at the Chinese Cultural Institute in Paris. and serves as the director of the Traditional-Chinese Opera Festival.

　　In plain language， this richly illustrated book leads us to the discovery of Peking Opera in 12 chapters. It presents its origins， evolution and heritage with introductions to its many different features： roles， stage set， costumes and makeup. It introduces us to a system where convention governs the actor's performance in terms of gestures， singing and enunciation. In contrast to realism， Peking Opera means more than it describes and evokes more than it tells， thus leaving viewers free to exercise their imagination. Then， as the master says to the disciple： "I put you on the path； it is up to you to walk it." -The book contains 200 rare stage photos of great masters. It immortalizes the art of the greatest performers of Peking Opera over the past decades. These photos-most of which are being published for the first time-are the result of the uninterrupted work of Wu Gang， who was destined to become the finest witness to the evolution of this form of traditional opera. Here， the texts he associates with his photographic work will help guide our footsteps on a journey through a world characterized by the quest for perfection， a quest that places Peking Opera among the greatest forms of artistic expression of all time.

Introduction

Chapter 1 Origins Peking Opera， an art form according to a vast thea- ter tradition
Elegant companies and floral companies-kunqu and the others
An ancient filiation-puxian opera and pu-ppets
A significant support
Managing performances at the imperial court
Peking Opera beyond Chinese borders

Chapter 2 Role Categories
Sheng
Dan
Jing
Chou
Fanchuan
Liangmen bao or the art of taking up multiple roles

Chapter 3 The Stage
The backdrop
（shoujiu）
The generals' entrance and the ministers' exit
（chujiangruxiang）
The orchestra
（changmian）
One table and two chairs
（yizhuo liangyi）
The tablecloth and chair covers
（zhuowei yipi）
The tapestry
（zhang）
The city wall canvas
（bucheng）
Decorated frames
（jingpian）
The mountain frame
（shanpian）
The cloud
frame
Lighting
（dengguang）

Chapter 4 Accessories
Weapons
（daoqiang bazi）
The hunting crop
（mabian）
……

Chapter 5 Costumes
Chapter 6 Makeup
Chapter 7 Basic Techniques
Chapter 8 Storytelling Based on Song， Dance and Acrobatic Combat
Chapter 9 Song， Speech， Gestures and Combat
Chapter 10 Hands， Eyes， Body， Hair and Steps
Chapter 11 The Art of Acting Governed by Conventions
Chapter 12 A Style of Acting Relying on Evocation