The Peking Opera Troupe of Nanjing

(As an ancient city that served as the capital for six dynasties, Nanjing has always been a city where traditional Chinese arts have been popular. Peking opera, the essence of traditional Chinese art, is particularly loved by Nanjing people, and as early as 1962, the city had its own Peking opera troupe, the Peking Opera Troupe of Nanjing. )

Since its founding, the troupe has performed across China and in a number of countries abroad. Its members have visited Japan, the US, Australia, South Korea and many other places. Wherever they go, they always are warmly welcomed.

Just recently, they came to Beijing to take part in a national competition for young Peking opera performers. The competition was held in the prestigious Chang’an Grand Theater, and the troupe played to a full house.

The star of the Nanjing troupe's show was Fan Lexin. She began to learn Peking Opera when she was nine. Twenty-two years of diligent study and hard work have passed, but her commitment to her art has never changed. Fan Lexin is now the best female performer in the troupe, and has won dozens of prizes in the past few years. In 1999, she held her own recital in Nanjing. It was very successful, and was highly praised by experts and laypeople alike.

Despite her great success and popularity, Fan also realizes that pop music and other forms of modern entertainment pose a threat to Peking Opera.

“Pop music has greatly reduced people’s interest in Peking Opera, especially young people. They say Peking Opera is too slow. And many of the lyrics are very old, in classical Chinese, and very difficult for them to understand.”

But she still has confidence in the future of the Peking Opera.

“I think that Peking Opera will regain its popularity. Although it won’t be as popular as it was in the old days, it will certainly be more popular than it is now. As for myself, I will continue my efforts to improve my performance. I won’t quit halfway, and I will do my best to hand down this art to the generations that follow.”

Fan also suggested that reforms in Peking Opera are necessary to make this art more appealing to young people.

Two girls studying at Nanjing’s Jiangsu Traditional Opera School also came to take part in the troupe's performance. Both of them enrolled in the school three years ago, when they finished their primary education. One of them is 16-year-old Bi Lu.

“I decided to learn Peking Opera because I love it. Everyone in my family loves it. They recommended that I go to opera school. I hope I can sing Peking Opera well in the future. I have chosen it as my career, and I have no other plans. Of course, learning it is very hard work, but my interest in it is much stronger.”

Both the girls admit that they also love pop music, but they said Peking opera brings them a special feeling that is very difficult to describe.

Zhang Jianqiang is a director of the Nanjing Peking Opera Troupe. He said the entire company has worked hard to develop Peking Opera.

“First we try to give more performance opportunities to young actors, to train them. We have changed the scripts, and begun to use simpler language. We've also done a lot of publicity among young people, even creating some plays aimed at school students, which use stories to which the youngsters can relate.”

Zhang added that although Peking Opera may never have a predominant position in the world of opera and music, it will continue to develop healthily.