Famous opera masters Lao Dang Yizhuang gathered in the -2024 Opera Double Ninth Festival Gala-
On October 11, in Beijing’s historic Huguang Guild Hall, over fifty esteemed artists in their seventies and eighties gathered for the “2024 Art of Drama Double Ninth Festival Celebration.”
The atmosphere was filled with laughter and warmth as legendary figures of Peking opera and Kunqu, including 86-year-old Hou Shaokui, 84-year-olds Xiao Runduo and Yang Shaochun, 82-year-old Liu Changyu, 80-year-old Ma Yoxian, and 77-year-old Huang Xinde, came together with younger talents to deliver an unforgettable performance. This event beautifully encapsulated themes of respect and love for the elderly while showcasing how age provides not just experience but joy in artistic contribution.
Among the highlights, renowned Peking opera artist Li Changchun revealed a signed fan from the first reunion of the “51 class” of the China Theatre Academy, a nostalgic reminder of 70 years of friendship. Coinciding with the Double Ninth Festival, the performance of the classic “Magu Presents Longevity” featured talented young actors Lu Jie, Yan Wenqian, and Wang Can, who paid tribute to the elder artists with their delightful rendition.
This celebration brought together artists and inheritors of various traditional performing arts from over ten types across 32 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. It created a lively dialogue among the country’s esteemed figures around the festival’s significance. The old masters performed classic pieces, talked about their craft, and celebrated the enduring legacy of traditional opera, which continues to shine brightly.
Notably, 77-year-old Zhu Baoguang took the stage to perform a classic piece from the Ma school, while other veteran artists sang segments from renowned operas, including “Qin Xianglian,” “The Legend of the White Snake,” and “The Lady Officer.” The oldest performer present, 93-year-old Kunqu master Cong Zhaohuan, shared heartfelt wishes for the Double Ninth Festival in a video message.
Remarkably, the event’s directors planned the program to run for 99 minutes, symbolizing longevity in accordance with the spirit of the Double Ninth Festival.
The “2024 Art of Drama Double Ninth Festival Celebration” was broadcast on CCTV-11, with live coverage by CMG’s streaming platform on the holiday itself.