Beijing opera was established during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) when troupes from central China such as Anhui came to (then) Peking for the emperor Qian Lung's (1736-1795) 70th and 80th birthdays...by 1810, the style dominated Chinese Drama. Originally, Beijing Opera was performed mostly on open-air stages in markets, streets, teahouses or temple courtyards. The orchestra had to play loudly and the performers had to develop a piercing style of singing, in order to be heard over the crowds. Beijing opera is a unique type of dramatic narrative, that weaves together music, movement, and dialogue to unfold beautiful and moving stories drawn from Chinese history, biograph, folk legend, literature.