Long-term-average spectrum (LTAS) curves showed no trace of a singer’s formant cluster.

Spectra of vibrato-free tones contained unbroken series of harmonic partials sometimes reaching up to 17 000 Hz. Vibrato rate was about 3.5 Hz, that is, considerably slower than in Western classical singing. Some of the intervals between these peaks were similar to those used in Western music. Histograms showing the distribution of fundamental frequency showed marked peaks for the songs, suggesting a scale tone structure. Sound pressure level, fundamental frequency, and spectrum characteristics were analyzed.

Recordings were made of the singers’ speech and when they sang recitatives and songs from their roles.

Audio and electroglottograph signals were recorded for four performers of the Old Man role and three performers of the Colorful Face role. Singers in the classical Peking opera tradition specialize on one out of a limited number of standard roles. Acoustic characteristics of classical opera singing differ considerably between the Western and the Chinese cultures.

Peking opera definition