City Enthralled by Huangmei Opera

In Anqing, several state-run opera theatres have undergone thorough changes in recent years to captivate the audience. A newly built club house dedicated to Huangmei opera is gaining favor and marketing the opera to a much wider audience. Grassroot troupes still survive and thrive in the place that nurtured so many noted opera artists. And a casual stroll around town can easily bring you to street performers scattered in every corner of the city, for whom performing Huangmei opera is not only a way to make a living but the ultimate source of fun and pleasure.

Prominent Huangmei opera artist Han Zaifen performs her best known production "Huizhou Women" on stage at the Anqing Zaifen Huangmei Opera Art Theatre on August 1, 2009. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

This is Anqing, a city enthralled by Huangmei opera and its people are so keen to push the boundaries and maximize the influence of its legacy.

The Anqing Zaifen Huangmei Opera Art Theatre is a leading Huangmei opera theatre and the creative hub of many new productions. The theatre's mission is to conserve, advance and disseminate the dramatic cultural heritage associated with Huangmei opera and present it to the outside world.

Over the years, the prominent Huangmei opera artist Han Zaifen emphasized the need for innovation while making it more relevant to contemporary life.

"We need to innovate every aspect of the opera from art form in general to aesthetic values, rather than creating sheer changes of the arias. The inner core and spirit of the art form, like its fresh and natural style, such as fundamental things passed down, of course, should not be lost. We also have to take into account people's aesthetic values today."

The artist took the plunge to make changes before the debut of "Huizhou Women" in 1999, which proved to be a hit. This success elevated Han Zaifen to a higher level in her artistic pursuits.

So far, many efforts have been made to seek breakthroughs and endear the opera to young people. While appealing to high-end markets, Han Zaifen is very clear that Huangmei opera cannot grow apart from its grassroots culture.

"For any form of art, if we want it to be rooted in the hearts' of the people, we should not throw away the grassroots culture, as the opera needs more sources to produce and popularize itself. We did make some seemingly high-end productions and we can do so for the sake of sheer pursuit in individual and artistic value. However, in view of the opera's development, we need the grassroots culture."