Chinese Opera

Rating:
Summary: Stunning Photography
Review: A very open discovery of a culture far away from the West, seen through modern photography. A captivating gallery of photographic portraits, that seems to grow on you as you go through vivid color and rich, saturated black and white images of performers in the different chinese opera styles. Behind the scenes pictures reveil all ages from small children in front of a 12 year education to old stars of a mostly forgotten artform. Foreword by Gong Li, the actress, "Our Children of the Peargarden" is touching and very relevant today.

Rating:
Summary: Costume design
Review: This is a gorgeous book. The pictures are beautiful... the people are beautiful... the costumes are beautiful... My only wish was that the book was longer with even more photos!
The photos were mostly mid shots and closeups- very basic photography. I guess the point was that the costume and makeup made the shot.... however I wish that Gudnason would have been a little more artistic with her photos. I also wish that there were extreme close ups on the fabrics and head pieces.
i studied Chinese opera in college and planned on giving the book to my teacher for christmas, but it's april and the book still sits on top of my dvd player! So if you are planning to buy this as a gift- also buy a copy for yourself