As the 2026 Chinese Opera Spring Festival Gala prepares for its grand broadcast this week, artists from Peking opera to Kunqu traditions are transforming backstage areas into vibrant hubs of last-minute preparation. Veteran performer Li Xiaochen, currently applying intricate face paint for her role as a Tang Dynasty warrior, shares: "These final moments are when we become our characters – every stroke carries centuries of tradition."
The Rhythm of Preparation
Behind crimson stage curtains, a symphony of warm-up rituals unfolds:
Costume teams steam elaborate silk robes dating back to Ming Dynasty designs
Percussionists adjust bronze gongs using smartphone tuning apps
Young performers film TikTok tutorials on traditional sleeve movements
Cross-Generational Exchange
This year's gala features unprecedented collaboration between 78-year-old Sichuan opera face-changer Wang Delun and 19-year-old digital media artist Zhang Wei. Their augmented reality-enhanced performance required 63 technical rehearsals, blending artificial intelligence with 300-year-old dramatic techniques.
Cultural Preservation in Action
Organizers confirm this edition will showcase six regional opera styles previously absent from national broadcasts, including a Hakka tea-picking opera from Jiangxi and Uygur muqam traditions from Xinjiang. With over 2,000 artists participating, the event serves as both celebration and vital preservation effort for China's intangible cultural heritage.
