Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory

Kunqu Opera, hailed as the “ancestor of all Chinese operas”, plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and collective memory in the Jiangnan region. This research examines the acoustical traditions of Kunqu. Through expert interviews and thematic analysis, the study explores key acoustic...

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Main Authors: Zihan Ding, Francesco Aletta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Acoustics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-599X/6/4/61
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author Zihan Ding
Francesco Aletta
author_facet Zihan Ding
Francesco Aletta
author_sort Zihan Ding
collection DOAJ
description Kunqu Opera, hailed as the “ancestor of all Chinese operas”, plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and collective memory in the Jiangnan region. This research examines the acoustical traditions of Kunqu. Through expert interviews and thematic analysis, the study explores key acoustic elements, including vocal techniques and musical structures, and their symbolic and emotional impact. Five central themes emerged, including Kunqu’s role in collective memory, its function as a cultural symbol, the evolution of its transmission, the emotional resonance of its acoustic elements, and the modern challenges and opportunities for preservation. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining Kunqu’s cultural identity within acoustical heritage, while also recognizing the need for innovation in its transmission. This research contributes to the broader discussion on intangible cultural heritage and provides insights into how traditional art forms like Kunqu can be preserved amidst modernization.
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series Acoustics
spelling doaj-art-fccb1071f6c04bc0985ef9fcbd58b6472025-08-20T02:55:31ZengMDPI AGAcoustics2624-599X2024-12-01641115113910.3390/acoustics6040061Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective MemoryZihan Ding0Francesco Aletta1Institute for Sustainable Heritage, The Bartlett, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UKInstitute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UKKunqu Opera, hailed as the “ancestor of all Chinese operas”, plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and collective memory in the Jiangnan region. This research examines the acoustical traditions of Kunqu. Through expert interviews and thematic analysis, the study explores key acoustic elements, including vocal techniques and musical structures, and their symbolic and emotional impact. Five central themes emerged, including Kunqu’s role in collective memory, its function as a cultural symbol, the evolution of its transmission, the emotional resonance of its acoustic elements, and the modern challenges and opportunities for preservation. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining Kunqu’s cultural identity within acoustical heritage, while also recognizing the need for innovation in its transmission. This research contributes to the broader discussion on intangible cultural heritage and provides insights into how traditional art forms like Kunqu can be preserved amidst modernization.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-599X/6/4/61Kunqu Operacultural identitycollective memoryacoustic heritageintangible cultural heritage
spellingShingle Zihan Ding
Francesco Aletta
Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
Acoustics
Kunqu Opera
cultural identity
collective memory
acoustic heritage
intangible cultural heritage
title Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
title_full Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
title_fullStr Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
title_full_unstemmed Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
title_short Acoustical Traditions and Cultural Identity: Exploring Kunqu’s Contribution to Collective Memory
title_sort acoustical traditions and cultural identity exploring kunqu s contribution to collective memory
topic Kunqu Opera
cultural identity
collective memory
acoustic heritage
intangible cultural heritage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-599X/6/4/61
work_keys_str_mv AT zihanding acousticaltraditionsandculturalidentityexploringkunquscontributiontocollectivememory
AT francescoaletta acousticaltraditionsandculturalidentityexploringkunquscontributiontocollectivememory