Wang Zengping made the opening address. He extended warm welcome to the artists of CNPOC and expected teachers and students would enjoy the wonderful performance of the artists and appreciate the charm of refined art. And Mr. Wang Xudong of CNPOC gave a lecture on Peking Opera knowledge. The show officially began after that with three scenes: At the Crossroad, Pick up the Jade Bracelet and The Lucky Purse.

 

　　        A vibrant gong brought a series of bright drumbeat. The well-known play At the Crossroad performed by Wang Yuzhou and Wang Hao caught audience’s eyes. After the fantastic fighting play, Gong Lijuan, apprentice of the noted artist of Peking Opera and State First-Class Artist Liu Changyu, fully displayed Pick up the Jade Bracelet with Lv Kunshan and Zhang Bing, a famous Hua Dan (female role in Chinese opera) play.

 

　　

        The finale of this show was the arias from The Lucky Purse-Chunqiu pavilion presented by Zhou Jing, apprenticeof Zhan Manling. The Lucky Purse was regarded as a major work of School of Cheng Yanqiu

         Some modern elements had also been deliberately mixed into the show, which increased the emotional appeal of the times and attracted audience’s attention to the ancient art. The audience was lighted up with the luster of the ancient Peking Opera.

 

　　

        Set up in January 1955, CNPOC is a national art group that is directly subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of China. The first director of CNPOC is the master of Peking Opera Mei Lanfang. CNPOC includes four divisions: the first, second and third troupes and stagecraft and art center. It has gained outstanding achievements and enjoyed great prestige overseas since its establishment.

 Translator: Zhao Yue     Proof-reader: Sun Li