罗拉因为要看中国戏剧而感到特别兴奋，早早地拉着雪莉来到了剧院。离演出开始还有好长一段时间，这下他们该干点什么呢？

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Shirley: We came too early. There're still three hours before the performance starts.

Laura: I know. Sorry, I shouldn't have rushed you, but I just couldn't stay at home and wait.

Shirley: Never mind. What about taking a look around the theater?

Laura: Why not? I'd love to do that.

Shirley: Here we go. There is a museum of the Beijing Opera art.

(They come to the museum of the Beijing Opera art.)

Laura: Wow. Look at this. So delicate and beautiful. Did ancient Chinese people really wear them?

Shirley: Not really. They are just opera costumes. Do you like the embroidery?

Laura: I surely do. They must have had advanced machine in ancient China to do that.

Shirley: No, no, no. They are all handmade, girl. You know, the ancient Chinese women were supposed to be good at needlework.

Laura: Unbelievable! I could never do that.

Shirley: Very few can. That's why these clothes only appear in the museum.

Laura: Listen! Some people are singing outside. Is it the opera?

Shirley: Oh, yes. I heard there was an opera fans club. They are probably practicing now. Wanna have a look?

Laura: Yes, let's do it.

Shirley: Follow me. Make sure not to interrupt them.

Laura: Of course not. We don't do that.

听看学
雪莉：我们来得太早了。离演出开始还有三个小时呢！

罗拉：我知道。对不起，我不该催你的，可我就是受不了在家里等。

雪莉：没关系。要不我们参观一下这个剧院？

罗拉：为什么不呢？我很乐意这么做。

雪莉：那我们走吧。这里有一个京剧艺术博物馆。

（她们来到了京剧艺术博物馆。）

罗拉：哇，看这个。这么精致、漂亮。中国古代的人真穿这些衣服吗？

雪莉：不是的。它们只是戏服。你喜欢这些刺绣吗？

罗拉：我当然喜欢了。中国古代一定有先进的机器来做那样的衣服。

雪莉：不，不，不。它们都是手工制作的，小姑娘。知道吗，中国古代女子都得做针线活。

罗拉：真是难以置信！我一定做不了这个。

雪莉：很少有人能做到。这就是为什么这些衣服只出现在博物馆里啊。

罗拉：听！有人在外面唱歌。那就是戏曲吗？

雪莉：哦，是的。我听说这里有一个戏迷俱乐部。他们现在可能在排练。想去看看吗？

罗拉：好的，我们去看看。

雪莉：跟我来。得保证不打扰他们哦。

罗拉：当然不会。我们可不会那么做。

经典背诵 Recitation
Laura: I arrived at the theater with Aunt Shirley 3 hours ahead of the show. It was because I was too excited to stay at home and wait. So we decided to take a look around the theater. There was a museum of the Beijing Opera art. I saw some very beautiful opera costumes. I wondered how the ancient people had managed to make those things with hands. It's just unbelievable!

生词小结
costume n. 戏服

embroidery n. 刺绣

handmade adj. 手工制的

needlework n. 针线活

语素 Material
Broadway

Broadway in New York is the center of American modern musicals and operas. Even the stars of Hollywood dream to put on a show there, figuring that would be the pride of their art lives. The most talented musician of Broadway is Andrew Webber, who created many very famous musicals and operas, including Cats, Chicago, and the Phantom of the Opera House.

百老汇

纽约的百老汇是美国现代歌舞剧的中心。甚至好莱坞的明星都梦想着能到那里表演，他们认为那将成为他们艺术生涯的骄傲。百老汇最有才华的音乐家是安德鲁?韦伯，他创作了很多非常著名的歌舞剧，包括《猫》、《芝加哥》和《歌剧媚影》。

The Four Greatest Masters of Beijing Opera

Beijing Opera is the treasure of Chinese culture. Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun, and Xun Huisheng are recognized as the four greatest artists of Beijing Opera. Among them, Mei Lanfang is acknowledged to be the symbol of China's performing art. During his stage career, he created many lively and unforgettable artistic images. He dedicated his whole life to the art. He is undoubtedly the pride of China.

中国京剧四大名旦

京剧是中国文化的瑰宝。梅兰芳、程砚秋、尚小云和荀慧生被合称为京剧四大名旦。其中，梅兰芳被公认为是中国表演艺术的代表。在他的舞台生涯中，他塑造了许多生动且令人难以忘怀的艺术形象。他把一生都献给了艺术。毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。