04.28.2026
In 2026, when Brazil and China celebrate the Brazil-China Cultural Year 2026, four Brazilian cities will host a visit in May from the main artistic ensemble dedicated to one of the most important Chinese cultural expressions: the National Peking Opera Company.
The company will perform in São Paulo (May 12th and 13th), Belo Horizonte (May 16th), Brasília (May 19th) and Salvador (May 23th.
The Peking National Opera Company’s tour of Brazil is presented by the Ministry of Culture with main sponsor of CTG Brasil, and produced by Dellarte. Tickets for the performances are on sale at dellarte.com.br.
Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, Peking Opera — known in China as Jingju — is considered one of the cornerstones of Chinese theatrical tradition. The genre combines music, singing, dance, dramatic interpretation, acrobatics, and martial arts in a highly stylized stage language, built over centuries.
Defined in 2024, the year in which the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China was celebrated, the ” Brazil-China Cultural Year 2026” has one of its main focuses on cultural dissemination, and the Peking Opera, which brings together the charm of Chinese traditions and culture, could not be left out.
“The appreciation of cultural diversity and the strengthening of relations between Brazil and China is one of the pillars of our social investment strategy and part of our long-term commitment to the country. Supporting the Brazilian tour of the Beijing Opera during the Brazil-China Cultural Year is a way to reinforce cultural exchange and bring the two countries even closer together,” says Luís Fernando Lisboa Humphreys, Senior Strategy and Sustainability Managerat CTG Brasil.
To celebrate this very special occasion, the company has chosen two of the most celebrated pieces from its repertoire: The Female Generals of the Yang Family and The Legend of the White Snake.
The origins of Peking Opera date back to theatrical traditions developed in imperial China and consolidated between the 18th and 19th centuries. Over time, the genre has become one of the most representative artistic forms of Chinese culture, preserving historical narratives, popular legends, and classic stories from the country’s literature.
In the performances, the actors use different vocal techniques—including singing, speaking, and recitation—to narrate stories and express emotions. The music is performed by a traditional Chinese orchestra, composed of characteristic instruments such as the erhu, a stringed instrument, and the suona, a wind instrument. Choreographic movements and symbolic gestures are part of the dramaturgy, while acrobatic and combat sequences inspired by martial arts add dynamism to the scenes.
The aesthetics of Peking Opera are distinguished by the use of elaborate costumes, stylized makeup, and symbolic props that help define the identity and social standing of the characters. These elements are part of a system of stage codes developed over generations and are fundamental to the company’s productions. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, the costumes feature intense colors and intricate details that reflect the personality and status of the characters, while props such as swords, fans, and scarves reinforce gestures and movements during the scenes, contributing to the characteristic visual atmosphere of this theatrical genre.
This combination of music, theater, and physical virtuosity impresses audiences in different parts of the world. In an article published by the British newspaper The Guardian, a critic described the experience of watching the Peking Opera as “the formidable coordination and energy of a complicated Chinese acrobatic number,” noting that “there are few things comparable to it in the West.” The Times newspaper highlighted that “in the Peking Opera, the refinement of high art meets the fun of popular art, with stylized movements, humor, and action in an explosion of entertainment.”
The programs
The Yang Family Women Generals tells the story of a legendary warrior family from ancient China. After the death of Marshal Yang Zongbao in battle and the loss of most of the family’s men, his grandmother, Lady She, decides to lead the women of the Yang lineage in the defense of the country.
Among them is Mu Guiying, Yang Zongbao’s wife, who assumes a prominent position in the battles. The work brings together scenes of choreographed combat, physical virtuosity, and dramatic passages that celebrate courage and loyalty.
The Legend of the White Snake presents one of the best-known stories in Chinese folklore. The plot follows the love between the White Lady, the spirit of a snake that takes human form, and the young Xu Xian, whom she marries after an encounter on the shores of Western Lake.
The relationship arouses the opposition of the monk Fahai, who considers the union between a human and a spirit a violation of natural laws. The narrative mixes romance, supernatural elements, and scenes of strong scenic expressiveness.
Peking National Opera Company
Founded in 1955 and linked to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the National Peking Opera Company brings together some of the leading performers and creators dedicated to the preservation and development of Peking Opera. Its first president was Mei Lanfang, one of the greatest masters in the history of this genre and a central figure in the international dissemination of Chinese art.
Throughout its history, the company has built a repertoire of over 500 works, including traditional pieces, historical narratives, and contemporary creations. Its productions are regularly presented on international tours, bringing the tradition of Peking Opera to stages in various countries and contributing to cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.
With the recognition of Peking Opera as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the company has come to be considered internationally as an important bulwark in the preservation and dissemination of this art form, with a vast repertoire inspired by Chinese history, folklore, and culture.
