© Penelope Gan – All Rights Reserved – Performers Backstage – Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

The Chinese Opera, the Greece tragic-comedy and the Indian Sanskrit Opera are the three oldest dramatic art forms in the world. Evolving from folk songs, dances, antimasque and distinctive dialectical dialogue, the Chinese Opera gradually combined music, art and literature into a stage production.

Dialogues which are beautifully written and of high literary value are delivered by performers whose performances are accompanied by traditional musical instruments like the Erhu, gong and lute, taking on a melodious tune.

Given that the musicians are often just a handful and seated at the front of the stage, they too are not spared from the different styles of facial paints and costumes.

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Note: Shot in two locations over two weekends, it is hoped that the pictures will be compelling and sufficient to keep this art form alive through private fund raising.

Many thanks to the troop owners for their hospitality.

Click HERE for FULL slideshow / multimedia on the Malaysian Chinese Opera … a backstage pass