Beijing opera songs are like the arias of Italian opera in that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Beijing opera songs are the musical heart of the drama, just as arias are in Italian opera. They often convey the emotions of the characters and advance the plot of the story being portrayed. While some Beijing opera songs may have been performed with choral ensembles in the past, it is not a defining characteristic. New text is not typically written to old music, as the melodies are considered integral to the overall art form.

Beijing Opera Songs Are Like the Arias of Italian Opera