In pics: A glimpse of Hong Niang celebrating Xun Huisheng's legacy

A special performance was held to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of master Xun Huisheng at the Chang'an Grand Theater in Beijing on January 11. 

The performance featured classic works from the Xun School, including a rendition of its representative piece Hong Niang (The Matchmaker). 

This photo series captures the actors' preparations backstage – applying makeup, setting up props and adjusting costumes – as well as their vibrant performances on stage.

Hong Niang is a classic work adapted from the Yuan Dynasty playwright Wang Shifu's Xixiangji, or The Story of the Western Wing, one of China's most important love comedies. Set in the Tang Dynasty, the story follows Zhang Gong, a scholar traveling to take the imperial exam, who meets Cui Yingying, the daughter of a high official. The two fall in love, and the matchmaker, Hong Niang, plays a key role in uniting them. 

In this performance, Hong Niang was portrayed as lively, playful and full of spirit, embodying a passionate, kind-hearted, brave and righteous figure. She secretly aids the couple, and when her actions are discovered by the matron, she fearlessly defends herself, ultimately convincing the matron to support the couple's love.

Peking Opera, as a representative form of Chinese traditional theater, features a rich variety of schools, each with its own unique artistic style and performance characteristics. Among these, the Xun School, founded by the renowned Peking Opera master Xun Huisheng, is known for its lively performances and melodious singing, particularly excelling in portraying young and lively female characters.

Xun Huisheng (1900–1968) is celebrated as one of Peking Opera's "Four Great Dan" (female role actors), alongside Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu and Shang Xiaoyun. Through years of dedicated artistry, Xun refined a distinctive style that not only emphasizes technical mastery but also demonstrates a profound understanding of the emotional depth and inner lives of the characters he portrayed.

The Xun School is renowned for its rich blend of voice and emotion. Its vocal quality is both smooth and rich, while its performances, though reserved, are deeply expressive, offering audiences a unique and captivating artistic experience.