Comes. The first couple. To seek gods will of course its difficult the winters are harsh the summer sweltering with them but whether its raining or windy or snowing it doesnt matter we must put on our costumes and carry on as usual. But. Especially made out of the. Chose this profession out of passion as the show must go on systems which. Are. Far from the city lights of shanghai and beijing pigeon jew travelling opera troupe journey tirelessly through the remote countryside of northern china going from village to village day after day wherever audiences still await their arrival. On the twenty first of all the operas we were a part of this year which was your favorite. Its hard to say. But of all the ones weve already done. I think my favorite is shot dong. Thats true and the song i must agree is just magnificent however the song i prefer the most is the last one in song i especially when sung by took the week its really wonderful. Travelling opera troops have been crisscrossing china from east to west and from north to south for thousands of years only a handful remain today. Mr lous troop is one of the few that are left. There traveling through shanxi a province in central china. It is often seen as the birthplace of Chinese Civilization its a rural area that has somehow missed out on chinas economic boom and the explosion of megacities taking over the country. The troupe is like a family all ages each with their own story and reasons for choosing this i ten or at lifestyle at times bringing husbands wives and children with them on the road. Like im twenty years old and im from a small village in china. I had to leave my parents when i was twelve and i joined the company after studying at an opera school. In the beginning i was so young that i really missed my parents. I remember crying a lot back then. Ive been here for four years now and how can i put it things have changed. I dont know if i like this life but ive gotten used to it. Aria. We dont have much time to set up the stage. Oh. This is a typical village one where farmers spend their time in their fields and entertainment is rare. The one or two times a year that the opera comes to town are still a big event a moment of a scape and welcome or spite from the calm of life in the countryside. All over. The troop will stay for two days maybe three they live out of suitcases no where is home but everywhere is home this time they found lodgings in an abandoned school levy is the youngest performer in the group she didnt choose this life for herself her family decided for her in an attempt to help or avoid a future of labor and poverty. What time are we going on tonight around eight thirty pm. Ok say we should be done around eleven pm moment night. That means well probably only get to bed around one am its going to be a long tiring night. How long we stay here four or five days i think last time we stayed five days so it will probably be the same thing. The last place where we performed was much better. Than. The village has been expecting the troop. The opera is by no means just fun its seen as an offering to the gods of barter in exchange for amusing them the people hope their wishes for a prosperous harvest good health or the birth of a boy will be granted. In its own way the opera is as much a religious service as it is entertainment. And its more fun to watch a performance then to go to the temple. Which now they are going to have ladies and gentlemen first timers and opera regulars good evening and welcome. Tonight the role of tongue danna will be performed by one of our young actors the other roles will be performed by way yanking enjoy the show. Thank. In the curtain goes up and the audience is taken back in time to ensure china through stories that capture the audiences imaginations all the shows take place in the same setting imperial china and revolve around Timeless Tales of intrigue love affairs and relationships between young and old characters some of them good and others powerful and evil. But. The moral of the story is usually positive and presented by bow god and the good judge a recurring character who writes wrongs and restores justice before the curtain drops. Levy is about to go on stage every night she plays the same part an imperial guard a small supporting role. Thats because shes not only the youngest in the troupe but also the latest recruit she still has a long way to go before she can take center stage and perhaps one day with the queens costume. If you can even saddle the logic of course i dream a success. But to get that one has to work very hard. And its difficult for young people to walk their way up. We generally go to bed very late. And his heart and tiring to get up so early and to get to work quickly. But i do want to have leading roles and get better at what i do which would also mean ive done more money. Was. Past many what i prefer in traditional chinese art press on the male question. But rather those designed for women. I love to watch them. I love to watch them because they truly magnificent especially at night. Night brings a special ambiance to the. I think its better than a daytime performance. When i watch the show from the wings with the magic of the lights in full effect i think its breathtaking. As night falls the actors are transformed into kings princesses heroes and gods come morning they are once again mere mortals performers on the outskirts of society in precarious Living Conditions a life of thin sleeping mats on the floors of temples villagers homes or backstage. Can tell and landing without. You is the troops lead singer and artistic director he joined the team when he was just sixteen years old his son also wants to be a performer but he dreams of beijing opera the most reputable form of this traditional art he doesnt want a life on the road performing for villagers here. Its just the job. I always tell my son that if he likes this profession he must go for it and if he fights he will succeed he will be here to hear. Your thoughts on hope like. Performing an opera that fits this region. I like the beijing opera but i couldnt join because my family wasnt part of the right social class i had no chance of even addition in there. Its the beijing offer is bigger and more prestigious than ours but it doesnt reach the people so its also a lot less demanding. Tell me. How little time. Can tell. You the neighbors in small villages the arrival of the opera is a huge event. For. Farmers rarely stop working they have such a difficult life. And we offer them a moment of respite. Distractions are rare hear hear. But they allow themselves to get comfortable and enjoy the show we put on. People from neighboring villages have also come the songs and dances the costumes and the ancient story lines offer a three hour a skate from the hard daily grind of life on the farm and work in the fields in the heat of a summer day its an older crowd that gathers for the show along with a few children. Every year the audiences seem to have shrunk the reflection of the rule exodus that has left entire regions empty and which has no end in sight. For those who remain all generations of a family lived together in one small home and they do not share the same opinions nor see eye to eye when it comes to opera and maintaining traditions. My neighbor told me the operas here. I have too much work i cant go. No limit im not sure i want to go youre right its always the same especially when we dont understand the story. You young people dont understand the tradition. Its endless sometimes it lasts over three hours. On top of that you can imagine last time i was so tired after working all day that i fell asleep but you dont know our stories nor the characters that are the stars of the show. Was. There for pillage life is nice. The air is pure. Theres no pollution hand. The city is more practical and more modern but here we live among nature and i love the opera costumes the clothing is just incredible the long dresses are magnificent all of that the costumes the shoes its like a book a of flowers. Was was. Was. Shot tonight the show starts at eight pm sharp. What are we performing again. He will do the long version about three and a half hours well have the honor to have gene went onstage with us so. Theres no. And what are we performing tomorrow morning two more morning we have the pleasure of performing jinky dong starring our second team of actors. For tonights show i need you all to concentrate. And to really Work Together to ensure the show is a success. The expectations are high tonight this audience is passionate about opera so we need to give them our best from the heart when. You walk. By. Commercial more than if you dont move in opera the lyrics are beautiful and the singing is very delicate its not the language we speak every day in opera everything is beautiful all the actors the gestures the Musical Instruments the songs the makeup the actresses who play the parts and. Its a fascinating world. Was. Was. It. Was. Her that. Night after night paying lead plays the queen and wears the costumes of noble women and emphasis shes the one that all the young singers in the troupe admire and the audience is most desolate by kingly has lived on stage and on the road since she was a child to the prefer. Formers juist more of an art than a career and over time it becomes a way of life and a destiny. That. I must have been seven or eight years old when the opera first came to my village. I remember thinking the make up and the hairstyles were magnificent and. I sneaked backstage so i could watch the actors get ready it was like a dream i didnt think then that i would make that my career but i wanted to be part of that world so badly and yes i was about seven or eight years old and. Schools out for the holidays and pings daughter has come to see her sharing her life on the road for a few days its rare that they get to see each other. With her mother away for most of the year the little girl is raised by her family on the outskirts of beijing. For. Young. Muslims we dont have a lot of contact with people outside the troop we keep to ourselves the days tend to run together we travel eat sleep and then its time to put on make up and perform. What you wish. I would prefer it if my daughter did Something Else its a great job but it leaves no room for having a family oh yeah i couldnt give qianqian the love and care that she needed and her father wasnt there for her either its just not fair for the children. Some days are more difficult than others. The rain started this morning and will continue for several days but rain or shine the shows must go on at a pace of two to three performances daily. I didnt do through how many people live here around four hundred people how do you sustain yourselves what you grow in your fields what do we grow yes is that corn. Corn and vegetables but this year was a very poor harvest. The harvest was bad because of weather conditions and the farmers dont make enough money its very difficult for everyone. And you you were with the op are true was he doing here where performing an opera. Does this opera have a name. Were performing jealousy junction. I see i did and it was the thing is our excellent come see us tonight. Ok well try. How much if i buy two for your. Lets teach. You i mean one more un oh yes sorry. For this one up now lisa and her travelling companions are used to these kinds of places that no one usually visits. To avoid boredom they often go out and meet the people letting them know that something extraordinary is about to take place in their village. And i know. Its the old prayer they arrived this morning. Come see us perform tonight why not do you live far. Great. The operators cooled chanche a chant chan you like it this ng is a very talented. D. Like opera yes but i dont have time for that. Was the show is found below us were performing charts he shouts an. Audi i working tonight as well yes over there. You can watch the show and work at the same time has business not very good. There arent a lot of people here do you know live in this village no i live higher up there arent a lot of people here thats for sure. What it. Looks like we spent almost all our money. Yeah and very little time and it was tough to earn. We bought lots of food for about fifty yuan. Lots of things to eat and to snack on. Theres no one in this village and not a lot to do. I cant wait to leave theres nothing fun to do here. With far from everything its not very lively yet. So how long are we staying here. About four days i imagine. Boring. And not a lot to do it feels really remote. Setting up the stage takes almost an entire day the artists who agreed to handle this long and tedious task are rewarded with a small bonus. The others drop off their bags where theyll be staying with some villagers who agreed to put them up in exchange for some money. That the making man stuff tomatoes smells really good the tomatoes are from the garden grown without pesticides its better that way they look wonderful. I hear. Im so hungry weve been on the road and we havent eaten since this morning i see you eat badly youre too skinny. Upper is too tough for these youngsters. And you really travel all year round from village to village. Yes around that must be difficult. During high season we never stop then during most ease and things quiet down a bit. Are you sure youll perform tonight with all that rain coming down. Is the stages uncovered will cancel we cant perform for soaking wet but if its covered well definitely perform in fact if the audience shows up we have to perform. Will you come see us tonight. If you perform i will come. Out of the delicious. I was famished. Since i was little ive always felt vulnerable. But today i can provide for myself and also help my family. Im even able to save a little money and help my mother. Provided im careful about my spending of course. I come from a very poor family so i do whatever i can and what codd to help. That is my destiny has given me a better life. Than the father that. She told ive yet. We managed to adapt. And always end up getting used to this way of life. This countrys enormous its like a never ending journey. But its a chance for us to discover new cultures use the public is full of praise and always compliment us. Its a wonderful reward because the work is extremely difficult so were very lucky. Thats what motivates us to continue. The next stop is almost one hundred kilometers to the east even farther from beijing and its prestigious operas a forgotten region its a bit like the soft underbelly of a very large drag it out when do you think well finish this tour we still have four operas to do maybe five. So we have about twenty days to go. Look at explore not on park we could have some fun once the tour is over then go home and finally get some rest. And you know what do you plan to do. Later. Im going to rest fast and i had back in travel a bit which you. Visioning. In beijing you can visit the imperial palace its a fantastic place. Is very beautiful inside. So if i had a bit of time id love to go to shanghai ive never been before. People say there are beautiful shops and boutiques there. I hope we can have some fun once the tories over now work is so tiring yes under stress with. Our situation is pitiful its so hard we dont have a minute of rest not a moment to relax or decompress. Ok i really mean is that the glee at being is our principal actress there are different types of roles for women in the ginger opera and she plays all the lead female roles. Not only is she talented but shes also a beautiful person inside so of course i want to be like her shes a role model for me. You know. Its a craze dave place you round out your wrist there you go eric it. Stand tall as if your father were here. So turn your wrist and let your eyes follow its movement. So quickly that sometimes it gets tough but you have to practice every day you need to train starting early in the morning work every second never stop. Look at me i sing all the time even very softly during every waking moment. Whatever you do laundry cooking you must think its a daily task. Its a job that never stops. And doesnt just happen like that in fact it takes a lifetime. The troop is greeted by a group of villagers the locals do not regularly participate in religious services usually only monks perform rituals and ceremonies but today is different. Its the birthday of a local god so the artists will be honoring him with songs and music. Her. Mums the recently wrote that since here yesterday we performed an opera called suzanne just. I played the role of susan look right now doesnt comes from a rich family but her parents die in a tragic accident. So her aunt takes her into raise her unfortunately she has no money so she sells she listened to an old rich men all are coming up the man is embittered and mean. And he and his family beat forces on constantly we are they hate her so much they decide to poison her food and then all of our hearts but that day suzanne is sick and cant swallow anything will come the go with a man its her food in her place and dies in incredible pain until after his death so the son is sold to a brothel where she meets a very handsome young man i do agree that. He is rich and they fall deeply in love with one another so. I. I i. I. I i i i. Ed. Thank. You. Thanks. In the old days the longest opera performances could last several days today theyve been reduced to three or four hours and encompass all genres from melodrama to burlesque to tragedy to circus arts actors have to spend around seven hours a day on stage to make as much as a blue collar worker. But the opera is a colorful contrast to the gloom of a factory or mine and performers travel for eight months at a time making people laugh and cry all over the country. For. What is human and. That was my. Thanks. Feast. Can we take a picture. Break it was amazing well done. I have to go. To the. Oval office a lot of the tiger mother and all. That a lot of. Comedy. All of what i. Am. But im a. Bit. Of a. While they dream of heading back home to their villages and families the bus takes them farther and farther away each day to faraway corners in the north of the country to conquer new audiences. Its the first time the opera has ventured into this region located in between shanxi and Inner Mongolia where and how will they find a place to sleep will the audience turn out for their show. How many days and nights will they need to stay before continuing their journey. A trip just arrived in the neighboring village. They perform operas. Ive heard theyre very good would you like to go ok. All right lets see if we can convince your grandmother did join us. Lets get to it we still have a bit of work to finish first and that is right there it is youre about tonight show in the nearby village. I dont have money to go. So youre not going. I doubt its even if they only come once a year well then pay me what you owe me ok. Last year we couldnt go the harvest was too poor. Did you go how was it. It was great really excellent well i hope i can make it this time. You know. Me i know. Right youre wrong. You think i have enough work to look old not at all but it would be good for you to have a little fun your grandson will be happy. Last time i saw or not pray all father was still alive that was a long time ago. We were gone for a few days it was a long trip. Come on dont stay at home. For my grandson is a good boy. Back again. In these parts not many people move away from their villages but the fact that the ginger troop have stopped by in the neighboring village is a good excuse to escape every day life and go on an adventure take a break from harsh reality an opportunity to enjoy life and to experience a bit of cultural magic and beauty that is thousands of years old an opportunity to reconnect with others and come together with a community and a chance to rediscover history whether real or fantasy through splendor that will live on as long as the ginger troops continue their travels. In eastern culture the stories of our ancestors and those of modern life are inextricably linked never separated. Therefore traditional Chinese Opera will never disappear. We give life to characters of a bygone era us of course all of this is beautified on stage to provide maximum enjoyment to help us remember our origins and those who came before us so they can remain in our memories but nothing will ever replace traditional opera it will live on forever. You. Only. Look. For sorrow while its playing its a passion. To. Join her on a journey of musical discovery its christmas time here in berlin and in the real thing to start super today linda in syria enjoys a christmas classic cancel and great hope by a number of hundred. Fifteen minutes. Eight Million Tonnes of flowers were dumped into the gun jews in india every year to test the science to time and. Now a start of converts useful hours into charcoal and chemical free incense sticks. Being able to see your servant your persistence from getting a little. Thirty minutes on the. Air yesterday where you. Think. You are you know this is you know five minutes a minute youre. Passing power and beauty. Having all. The fits in the pantheon of the great tenors certainly hes one for the ages. But up. Ten or fourteen. Starts december twenty second on g. W. The alliance of armenias acting Prime Minister nicola has a sizable lead in parliamentary elections according to the results counting is still underway had pushed for the snap ballots all for a peaceful anticorruption uprising took him to policy of this yet it marked the most sweeping political shift in armenia since it gained independence