Development of Kunqu Opera and Ming Drama (late 16th–early 17th century)

1. Wei Liangfu refines Kunshan tune into kunqu

   Jan 1, 1555Labels: Wei Liangfu, Kunshan tune

   • Britannica Kunqu
   • Britannica Chinese performing

2. Liang Chenyu writes Huanshaji for the new style

   Jan 1, 1560Labels: Liang Chenyu, Huanshaji

   • Britannica Liang Chenyu
   • Britannica Kunqu

3. Kunqu becomes a literati-favored national drama

   Jan 1, 1573Labels: Kunqu, Literati audiences

   • Britannica Kunqu
   • Britannica Chinese performing

4. Tang Xianzu begins The Purple Flute project

   Jan 1, 1573Labels: Tang Xianzu, The Purple

   • Wikipedia Tang Xianzu

5. Tang completes and retitles The Purple Hairpin

   Jan 1, 1587Labels: Tang Xianzu, The Purple

   • Wikipedia Tang Xianzu
   • World of Chinese

6. Tang retires and turns fully to playwriting

   Jan 1, 1598Labels: Tang Xianzu, Retirement

   • Wikipedia Tang Xianzu
   • Britannica Chinese performing

7. Tang writes The Peony Pavilion

   Jan 1, 1598Labels: Tang Xianzu, The Peony

   • Wikipedia Peony Pavilion
   • Britannica Chinese performing

8. The Peony Pavilion staged at Prince Teng Pavilion

   Jan 1, 1598Labels: Prince Teng, The Peony

   • Wikipedia Peony Pavilion

9. Tang writes The Nanke Dream

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: Tang Xianzu, Nanke ji

   • French Wikipedia Tang
   • Wikipedia Peony Pavilion

10. Tang writes The Handan Dream

    Jan 1, 1601Labels: Tang Xianzu, Handan ji

    • French Wikipedia Tang
    • Wikipedia Tang Xianzu

11. Kunqu introduced to Beijing in late Wanli years

    Jan 1, 1610Labels: Kunqu, Beijing

    • Wikipedia Kunqu
    • Britannica Chinese performing

12. Tang Xianzu dies; his plays endure in kunqu

    Jan 1, 1616Labels: Tang Xianzu, Posthumous legacy

    • Wikipedia Tang Xianzu
    • Britannica Chinese performing

13. Kunqu reaches Beijing by the late 1610s

    Jan 1, 1619Labels: Kunqu, Beijing

    • Berkshire Kunqu
    • Britannica Kunqu