Peking Opera company returns after 68 years to captivate Brazilian audiences

After 68 years, the China National Peking Opera Company has returned to Latin America with four shows, a workshop and an array of cultural exchange programs in Brazil to promote the rich legacy of a traditional Chinese art form that boasts a history of more than 200 years.

The last time the company visited Latin America was in 1956, when it toured Chile, Uruguay and Argentina along with Brazil.

This year's tour, which started on Friday and runs through Thursday, covers the Brazilian capital of Brasilia and the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The 44-member delegation, led by Wei Liyun, the company's Party secretary, aims to reintroduce Brazilian audiences to the highly stylized artistry of Peking Opera, which combines music, dance, drama, acrobatics and martial arts.

"The tour not only seeks to share the beauty of this traditional art form, but also serves as a cultural exchange initiative, celebrating the themes of loyalty, heroism and love. We hope to build connections with new audiences and inspire an appreciation for the distinctive aesthetics and emotional depth of Peking Opera," Wei said.

Peking Opera, also known as jingju in Chinese, can be traced to 1790 but formally began taking shape in 1840, growing rapidly during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), a fan of Chinese opera.