Four repertoires by the iconic Peking opera artist Zhang Huoding, were staged on Sunday night at the Chinese capital's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. It was part of the on-going 18th "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival. The works were performed by four of Zhang's students from the famous Cheng School, to high praise from the audience.

The female leading roles in the four repertoires are all signature pieces of Zhang Huoding. They are "Tears on a Waste Mountain", "The Legend of White Snake", "Butterfly Lovers" and "Sitting in the Palace".

SUN YUJIE AUDIENCE MEMBER "I really love the Cheng School of Peking Opera for its unique singing tones and performing style. Tonight I saw some rising young actresses, which led me to believe our Peking Opera has a promising future."

Three years ago at the 15th Meet In Beijing Arts Festival, Zhang's solo show for the closing ceremony caused quite a stir when the tickets sold out in just 30 minutes. But this year, she wanted the younger actresses to get the chance to hone their skills on this stage. They've followed her for years while studying at the Cheng School at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts.

ZHANG HUODING PEKING OPERA ARTIST "I'm gratified that these students have been studying so hard. This time, they chose the repertoire themselves, according to their own strengths. Compared to last year's performances at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, they've made loads of progress. Anyway, you know, as Peking Opera actors, we cannot expect quick results. I hope these young artists keep sharpening their skills."

Despite always maintaining a low profile, Zhang Huoding has won the ardent following of fans both at home and abroad.

Eighty-five years after Peking Opera Master Mei Lanfang debuted at the Lincoln Center in New York, Zhang brought her solo shows there in 2015 to a very warm reception. Her performance reminded many of the golden era of Peking Opera.

Some observers think Zhang's success comes from her faithfulness to the traditional ways.

ZHANG RAO, VICE DIRECTOR CHENG SCHOOL ARTS CENTER,  NATIONAL ACADEMY OF CHINESE THEATER ARTS "We should all learn from Zhang Huoding's model when carrying on the old traditions. She has made some innovations in her performance, but her creations have never gone far from the traditional style. When performing the 'Legend of White Snake' in north America, she did not make any changes to cater to western tastes, despite a culture which now prefers a fast-food mentality."

The school of Cheng is one of the four famous schools for dan or female roles in Peking Opera. It was created by Cheng Yanqiu in the first half of the 20th century.

XU CHAO, PARTY SECRETARY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF CHINESE THEATRE ARTS "The Cheng School art is a shining gem of the Peking Opera treasury. Well-known for its intermittent and melodious vocal and frequent changes in rhythm, this style is believed to best elaborate the characters' inner-world. It is especially good at mimicking women's sobs and whimpers. That is why many works of the Cheng School's repertoire are of tragic stories."

Xu also noted that Zhang Huoding's students will present the Cheng School's all-the-time classic " The Jewelry Pouch" on May 16th and 17th in Beijing. SW, CGTN.