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How did public teahouse rehearsals help support jingxi opera troupes?
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Chinese music
Twelve pitches of Chinese music as produced by overblowing the lü, bamboo tuning pipes (starting for ease of comparison from Western C).
In the development of jingxi, public teahouse rehearsals played a vital role in the financial sustainability of opera troupes. While the art form initially gained prominence through court patronage, it was also widely supported by local audiences.1
It became customary for troupes to conduct their rehearsals in public teahouses; over time, these sessions evolved into regular, informal performances. These teahouse events became a primary source of financial support for the troupes, allowing them to maintain their operations and reach a broader public audience beyond the elite circles of the imperial court.1