Tibetan Opera sings through the ages

The traditional genre is staging a comeback with contemporary presentations, Xinhua reports.

Tibetan Opera was showcased at the recent China Theater Festival in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The art form was inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage 10 years ago.

"It shows that the value and charm of the ancient art are still relevant, even outside Tibet and among those who don't speak Tibetan," says Bamdien Wangjo, head of the Tibetan Opera Troupe from Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

The 600-year-old genre combines talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It is regarded as a "living fossil" of Tibetan culture.

Shows are based on folklore, legends and Buddhist classics. Traditional plays are usually staged on wheat-threshing floors, pastures, gardens and forests during the daytime, without any curtains or lighting. Actors wearing masks perform alongside drums and cymbals.

"People today don't have that much spare time, and only succinct and clear plots can attract more people," Bamdien Wangjo says.

His play, The Love of the Six-string Guitar, is two hours and 10 minutes long. Besides the signature resounding and vigorous vocals, audiences can also appreciate Tibetan dress and dancing. The number of mask-wearing performers has also been minimized, allowing audiences to see more facial expressions. The stage effects include snowflakes, wind and vivid garden settings.