Sacred chants and ceremonial music from the famous monastery
Labrang Lamasery is a large complex with a breathtaking assembly of golden roofs, which dominates the skyline in the frontier town of Xiahe. Tucked away at the Far Eastern end of the Tibetan plateau, the monastery lies on the edge of a multi-ethnic town where Tibetans, Han-Chinese, the local Muslim Hui and the monks of the Gelugpa sect lend the streets a profusion of colour. Home to the third most important Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, Labrang was founded in 1709 and has been an important centre for music collection over the centuries. Its geographical position at this cultural crossroads has contributed to the delightfully varied repertoire of music practised here.
A rare opportunity for audiences in the UK, the tour features a full ceremonial ensemble involving 22 musician monks playing an extensive repertory of stately ceremonial music. Many instruments are played including flutes, cloud gongs, drums and the distinctive sheng mouth organs as well as music for small ensemble (including dulcimer, flutes and lutes) played for important visitors like high lamas and officials. The group will also perform Tibetan theatre music and of course the sutras chanted in that special low resonance found only in Tibet.
Tickets £10/£8 from the Dome Box OfficeTickets 01273 709709
