Sichuan Opera

China has an abundance of 1,300 local operas,Sichuan opera is one of the China1s oldest local operas and is popular in Sichuan province and some regions of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. It is the most significant and most interesting opera form from Southwestern China.As a stage entertain-ment,it conveys the idea of time and space to the audience through performances. the opera is characterized by its unique solo singing,refined acting,rich percussion and irresistibly funny come-dians,Sichuan opera also displays its unique skills: the changing faces, spitting fire, and rolling light. Numerous Sichuan opera troupes are active throughout the province, both in the countryside and in the troupes in Chengdu are rate artistically top level.

The face changing, or "bianlian(变脸,biàn liǎn)" in Chinese,is an important intangible cultural heritage in China. only a few masters have grasped this skill. they know how to change Sichuan opera masks in magically quick succession.As they flourish their arms and twist their heads, their painted masks change again and again and again.