Opera experts call for bringing in young audiences

On October 24th in Nanning, the president of the Modern Chinese Opera Research Association, Ji Guoping, shared insights about revitalizing traditional Chinese local operas. He emphasized the importance of using modern technology to create a hybrid experience of traditional and contemporary performances that will attract younger audiences. His goal is to guide them from appreciating innovative opera productions to understanding the rich cultural heritage of traditional Chinese theater.

The remarks were made during a seminar titled “Representing the People, Singing for the Times,” hosted by the Guangxi Theater. Experts and scholars from the Chinese theater community gathered to discuss the development of local operas in Guangxi.

Lu Yuzhong, a former senior inspector at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, praised Guangxi for its efforts in preserving local theatrical traditions. He pointed out that Guangxi is home to 18 unique local opera genres that have maintained their authentic characteristics over time, unlike some other regional forms that have been overshadowed by larger styles like Peking and Kunqu Opera. He noted that performances in Guangxi continue to utilize local dialects and maintain distinct ethnic and regional musical features.

In recent years, traditional Chinese opera has seen a wave of innovation, with many local forms incorporating contemporary elements and using technologies such as projection mapping and virtual reality to connect with modern aesthetics. A notable example is the newly created color tune opera “New Liu Sanjie” by the Guangxi Theater, which features characters such as delivery workers and rural e-commerce entrepreneurs. In this production, actors perform on balance bikes while singing in dialects, blending traditional mountain songs with modern themes to enhance the audience’s immersive experience.

Liu Yanjun, president of the Chinese Ethnic Minority Theater Society, commented on the bold new version of “Liu Sanjie,” highlighting how it brings Guangxi’s lesser-known local operas to a broader audience. By integrating the cultural elements of the Zhuang ethnic group with contemporary issues, the production paints a vivid picture of rural Chinese youth chasing their dreams. She concluded that local operas must be rooted in their unique ethnic identities and cultural backgrounds to thrive and reach international audiences.