Pingju Opera: Folk roots, enduring voice

Pingju Opera is one of the major traditional Chinese opera genres in northern China. Originating in the Luanxian County area of North China's Hebei Province, it initially developed from folk storytelling and singing traditions before spreading widely across North and Northeast China. Known for its vivid, lively style and accessible, down-to-earth character, Pingju features smooth, natural melodies and is especially noted for its use of colloquial language in both singing and dialogue, creating a strong sense of everyday life and regional identity.

Pingju performances often focus on the lives and emotions of ordinary people. Traditional plays such as "Hua Wei Mei" (Matchmaker Through Flowers) richly depict social customs and human ethics. Through the innovations and contributions of renowned artists such as Xiao Bai Yushuang (Little Bai Yushuang) and Xin Fengxia, Pingju gradually developed its unique musical structure. In 2006, it was listed as part of China's first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it continues to thrive on stage today with remarkable vitality.

Established in 1955, the China Pingju Opera Theatre has nurtured generations of celebrated performers, including Xiao Bai Yushuang, Xin Fengxia, Wei Rongyuan, Zhao Lirong and Gu Wenyue. The theater is known for faithfully preserving traditional Pingju characteristics while embracing contemporary relevance. Chen Siyu, a young actress from the China Pingju Opera Theatre, specializes in the Bai school of singing. As a rising talent, she hopes to introduce more audiences to the distinct vocal style, aesthetics and expressive nuances of the Bai school through her performances.

(All photos taken by CGTN's Yang Ze and Han Liude.)