Traditional opera celebrates Lantern Festival

To celebrate Lantern Festival, which falls on Saturday, seven art troupes from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province will bring shows highlighting more than 10 different types of traditional Chinese operas, featuring winners of the Plum Blossom Award — the highest award for performing arts.

On Friday, the classic comedy Flowers as Matchmakers will be staged by China Pingju Opera Theater and Shijiazhuang Pingju Opera Theater of Hebei province, featuring actress including Wang Lijing in the lead role.

On Sunday, a gala will be staged, showcasing traditional Chinese operas, such as Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera and Hebei Bangzi. Excerpts from classic works will be performed, including Female Generals of the Yang Family, and The Peony Pavilion. A new suite by composer Qiao Xin from the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, will be played as the opening program of the gala.

During the Spring Festival holiday, more than 80 performances were staged at eight theaters in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, organized by Beijing Poly Theatre Management Company.