Foreword
The Birth and Evolution of Peking Opera
Anhui Troups Moved into Beijing
The Art of Listening, Old-Style Theaters
Old Beijing in Peking Opera's Heyday
Theatrical Companies and Old-Style Opera Schools
Theaters, Temple Fairs and Tanghui
The Stage, Props And Orchestra
A Table and Two Chairs
Wen Wu Chang
Performing Art
Four Roles of Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou
Acting
Singing, Dancing and Acting Skills
"Realms" of Acting
Performers and Performing Schools
Nan Dan, or Men Playing Female Roles
Generations of Famous Actors
Mei Lanfang, Famous Dan Impersonator
Classic Plays
Modern Peking Operas
Conventions of Peking Opera
It Is Not Easy to Appreciate Peking Opera
Peking Opera in the Contemporary Era
Appendix: Chronological Table of the Chinese
Dynasties