Peking Opera renaissance

Love it or loathe it, Peking Opera is a quintessential part of traditional Chinese culture. Despite this, the genre has seen a slump in popularity among modern audiences, but there are efforts being made to ensure that this ancient art form is passed on to the next generation. The port city of Qingdao is home to a growing number of children who are avid about this unique style of performance.

Organizers had never imagined that here, at the Qingdao Art Palace, so many children would be eager to sign up for this class, dedicated to the training of girls to perform the age-old roles of Peking Opera. The 17 elementary school children imitate their teacher, Zhao Wenji, carefully following her delicate hand gestures. Zhao is a graduate of the China Opera Academy and has been learning Peking Opera since the age of 11. She is pleasantly surprsied that so many children wanted to join her class.

Zhao Wenji, teacher of Peking Opera training class, said:" This figure is encouraging, better than I had imagined. I thought Peking Opera was not a hot thing that would attract parents and kids."

Some may think learning an old-fashioned opera is of no use to kids nowadays, but parents or grandparents certainly think otherwise.

"I saw the ad in the newspaper. I think learning Peking Opera can help with fitness and also nurture a positive attitude."

"I want her to have more exposure to traditional culture."

And these 5 - 8 year olds seem to be very patient when learning the nuances in delivering lyrics, singing and gesturing.

A student said:" My grandma registered me. Peking Opera is not so difficult, it's fun."

A student said:" I like it."

Since 2008, the Ministry of Education has required schools to include content related to Peking Opera in the music curriculum. Some schools have started running classes, just like at this school in Qingdao. Here, weekly classes began five years ago and to date some 400 students have passed through its doors. Adorned in colorful costumes, these performers seem to be fully immersed in their roles. Guo Jiayi, a key member of the group, is able to sing many excerpts.

Applying the intricate make-up is included as part of the class, to inject more fun. The principle of the school says however that their overheads are high when buying costumes, props, musical instruments, and fees for guest teachers.

Ji Yuyuan, principal of Ping'An 2nd Road Elementary School, said:" The cost of hiring teachers is a problem for us. So we don't know if these kids will be able to continue to learn about Peking Opera when they leave our school."

Another school in Qingdao is also proud of its strengths in Peking Opera education. This display shows pictures of students in an array of opera related activities.

Dai Jing, teacher in Shangqing Road Elementary School, said;" Peking Opera training takes more time than that of learning to play the violin or learning to paint. It takes a relatively long period of time before you start to see results, which is why some classes come to an end."

Teachers and school leaders are calling for more funds to be allocated and for more professionals to get involved in Peking Opera education. This will hope to preserve the practise and appreciation of this Chinese art form and ensure it lives on for many generations to come.