He will perform once again next week.
"I am as excited as I was 60 years ago," he says.
"Many of the country's traditional art heritage has been lost. Fortunately, we can still enjoy the 600-year-old Kunqu Opera today. It's our responsibility to preserve it."
In 2001, UNESCO listed it as a major masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
Kunqu has also influenced other Chinese musical theaters, including its more famous cousin, Peking Opera.
According to Zhang, before the 1956 debut of Fifteen Strings of Coins in Beijing, Kunqu struggled to survive with a shrinking market and very few artists. Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe was the only known such troupe in China back then and is credited with saving the ancient art form with Fifteen Strings of Coins.
Since 1956, seven Kunqu Opera troupes have been established in the country and young performers have joined the Zhejiang troupe to learn from seasoned actors and actresses.
Liu Yilong, 73, and Ji Zhenhua, 76, both masters from Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, were among those who trained at the Zhejiang troupe.
They will also perform in the upcoming show in Beijing.
According to Gu Haohao, director of the Shanghai troupe, the two artists rarely perform these days.
"They first went on stage in their early 20s. This show means a lot to them. They were willing to return because of the memories of working with the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe," says Gu.
Fifteen Strings of Coins has been performed more than 1,500 times in the past six decades by different Chinese troupes, she says.
"Nowadays, we still face the challenge of reviving the Kunqu Opera. This show with the three troupes may help with that," says Gu.
The youngest performer in the new production is 14-year-old Zhang Tangxiao, who is a fifth generation actor from the Zhejiang troupe.
Zhang Shizheng says: "She will play a minor role in the show just like I did 60 years ago. But I believe the experience will leave her with a great memory. When the show celebrates its 100th anniversary, actors of the older generations will be gone, but I hope she will be in that show then."
If you go
7:30 pm, May 12. Chang'an Grand Theater, 7 Jianguomennei Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6510-1310.
