Imperial Music in Qing Dynasty

In the earlier period of the Qing Dynasty, a palatial department called the Training Department was in charge of the affairs of songs and dances. Then this department was revoked and its charges were taken over by other departments. Music was administered by the Harmony Department outside the palace, and the operas were administered by the Southern Department, which was a division of the Internal Affairs Department. As Cao Xingquan recounted in his book "Memoirs of Opera Performances in the former Qing Palaces", the three biggest stages were situated in three palaces, the largest being situated at Rehe Temporary Palace which is the biggest. The two next stages were situated at Tranquility-Longevity Palace and Summer Palace.