Hybrid Tibetan-Peking opera set for Olympics finale

From ANI

New Delhi, Aug 13: The story of Princess Wencheng, daughter of Emperor Li Shimin of the prosperous Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), will be dramatized in a mix of Tibetan and Peking operas later this month.

Liu Can, spokeswoman with the Meilanfang Grand Theater, said that 'Princess Wencheng' would be jointly staged by the National Peking Opera Theater and the Tibetan Opera Troupe from Aug. 21 to 23 as one of the key cultural performances during the Beijing Olympic Games.

The hybrid drama, which revolves around the princess involved in a political marriage between Tibetan and Han nationalities 1,300 years ago, combined the two opera styles' most notable aspects in music, song, costume and other aspects, reports Xinhua.

"Instruments like drums and cymbals of Tibetan opera will be merged into the orchestra of Peking opera. There will also be duet and harmonic vocals featuring both singing styles," Liu said.

"We will carry on the luxurious visual styles of both operas. Dragon robes and brocades from Peking opera will be presented along with the loose-bodied, luminous Tibetan clothes," Liu added.

Princess Wencheng, who got married to Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo when she was 16, travelled 3,000 kilometers to her new home along with dowry numerous treasures, books, golden furniture and medical equipment.

She lived in Tibet for about 40 years and was said to be widely respected for her love of the people.

After the royal marriage and various meetings, the Tibetans and Hans had formed close economic and cultural relations, laying the groundwork for the ultimate unified nation.

The Tibetan roles, including Songtsan Gambo, will be portrayed by professional Tibetan opera actors in its native language, with the Han ethnic roles by Peking opera peers in Mandarin.


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