The Emergence of a Modern Soundscape in Shanghai 1850-1930
Full Articles Available on Academia
Site: Shanghai
Instructor: Lawrence Chua
October, 2022
Paper for an self-designed independent course on Chinese Music and Architecture
Full Articles Available on Academia
Site: Shanghai
Instructor: Lawrence Chua
October, 2022
Paper for an self-designed independent course on Chinese Music and Architecture
This article explores the evolution of Shanghai’s soundscape from 1850 to 1930, examining the transition from traditional teahouse theaters to Western-inspired performance spaces such as the Lyceum Theater and Shanghai Music Hall. It investigates how Western architectural and acoustic innovations reshaped audience behaviors and music appreciation, highlighting the cultural and socio-economic transformations that marked Shanghai’s modernization. By analyzing key venues, including the Sanya Teahouse, the Lyceum Theater, and the Shanghai Music Hall, the article demonstrates the city’s gradual embrace of modernity.
This transformation is situated within the broader context of extraterritoriality and global cultural exchange, as Shanghai blended local ingenuity with international influences. The Shanghai Music Hall, with its sophisticated acoustics and Beaux-Arts design, epitomized the city’s new cultural identity, bridging tradition and modernity. Ultimately, this study underscores the pivotal role of performance spaces in shaping Shanghai’s urban and cultural landscape during a period of profound change.
This transformation is situated within the broader context of extraterritoriality and global cultural exchange, as Shanghai blended local ingenuity with international influences. The Shanghai Music Hall, with its sophisticated acoustics and Beaux-Arts design, epitomized the city’s new cultural identity, bridging tradition and modernity. Ultimately, this study underscores the pivotal role of performance spaces in shaping Shanghai’s urban and cultural landscape during a period of profound change.