Drama still shows the Songtsan Gambo talked with his envoy to Chang'an, capital city of Tang Dynasty of the time, photo from China Tibet Information Center by Wang Fei, August 21.
Princess Wencheng (F), photo from China Tibet Information Center by Wang Fei, August 21.
Drama still shows the Princess Wencheng arrived in the Tubo Kingdom and married Songtsan Gambo, photo from China Tibet Information Center by Wang Fei, August 21.
Drama still shows Tibetan people celebrated the arrival of Princess Wencheng, photo from China Tibet Information Center by Wang Fei, August 21.
Songtsan Gambo (L) and Princess Wencheng (R), photo from China Tibet Information Center by Wang Fei, August 21.
"Princess Wencheng", the good combination of traditional Tibetan and Peking operas, was officially put on in Meilangfang Grand Theater, in Beijing on August 21.
The drama tells the story of Princess Wencheng, daughter of Li Shimin, emperor of Tang Dynasty (618-907), and Songtsan Gambo, king of the Tubo Kingdom some 1,300 years ago.
"Princess Wencheng" was dramatized in a mixture of Tibetan and Peking operas.
The drama of "Princess Wencheng" is the fruit of both Han and Tibetan artists. Features of Tibetan and Peking operas were skillfully fused in one though they belong to two different opera styles. To perfect the show, the part of Tibetan opera was performed by Tibetan actors/actresses while the Peking opera was carried out by artists from China National Peking Opera Theater.
Besides, indigenous Tibetan musical instruments drum and cymbal were invited to perform in the band of Peking opera, thus making a duet of Tibetan and Peking arias.
"I thought it would be hard for me to understand the play since I have no idea about Tibetan language and it is the first time for me to enjoy it, with the help of subtitles, howbeit, I got the meaning and enjoyed it at ease," said Liu Li from Beijing.
Apart from storyline, flowery costumes and elaborate stage designing were wonderful enough to give audiences a visual enjoyment.
"I have no professional ideas of Tibetan and Peking operas, but the music really gives me a good enjoyment of Chinese culture," said Aojima Takeo from Japan.
As one of the key cultural items to jubilate the Beijing Olympic Games, "Princess Wencheng" will be performed till August 23 in the same place.