Young Peking Opera performers take center stage

Xu Wei
Shanghai Peking Opera Company is betting on young talent as it kicks off its performing season on October 15 at the Yifu Theater.
Xu Wei
Young Peking Opera performers take center stage
Ti Gong

Ten young Shanghai Peking Opera Company performers will present Peking Opera classics and excerpts from October 15 to July next year at the Yifu Theater.

Shanghai Peking Opera Company's season at the Yifu Theater this year features young, talented performers.

Ten performers, including Lan Tian, Fu Xiru, and Yang Yang will present classic plays and excerpts from October 15 to July next year.

They have been mentored by Peking Opera masters from various vocal schools to give fresh interpretations to classics such as "Cao Cao and Yang Xiu," "The Legend of White Snake," and "Mu Guiying Takes Command."

Young Peking Opera performers take center stage
Ti Gong

Ten young performers of the Shanghai Peking Opera Company pose with leaders during the launch of the performing season.

Every performer will have two shows each month. In addition to singing in civil scenes, actors in many plays also have to show off their martial arts and stunt skills.

Zhang Fan, the director of Shanghai Peking Opera Company, said that the company has nurtured generations of artists who are devoted to the preservation and development of traditional theater.

"In recent years, a batch of young performers have taken center stage after their mentorship with celebrated Peking Opera artists including Shang Changrong, Ye Shaolan, and Chen Shaoyun," Zhang said.

"They have improved their vocals, performing styles, and theatrical concepts to depict different roles in both classic and modern plays."

Since 2011, the Shanghai Peking Opera Company has hosted two seasons of "Youth Runway," a five-year opera program to nurture young talent.

They have charmed Peking Opera fans and won several coveted national awards.


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