SEVENTEEN exponents of traditional Chinese opera performed at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou last night at the invitation of Guangdong's top leaders.

The Voice of China concert marked the first time in history that leading singers of eight dialects of Chinese opera gave a joint performance. It will be held on one more night in Guangzhou before the show moves to Foshan on Nov. 3 and Shenzhen on Nov. 5.

The performers cover Beijing Opera, Kun Opera, Guangdong Opera, Sichuan Opera, Huangmei Opera, Yu Opera, Yue Opera, and Hebei Opera.

The concert was part of an official effort to promote Chinese cultural heritage and make the province "culturally strong," Chinese media said.

Guangdong's Party secretary Zhang Dejiang decided on the name of the concert. Shortly afterwards, invitations were sent to performers on the behest of himself and governor Huang Huahua.

The concert will be held each year from now on, as an effort to popularize the classical arts among the general public, the Party secretary said.

Shang Changrong, chairman of the Chinese Opera Association, praised the event as "splendid."

The two-hour concert represented the highest level of traditional opera performance in China, he said.

Hongxiannu, a leading Guangdong Opera singer, said she believed the event was a good chance to communicate with and learn from other artists.

Kun Opera singer Zhang Jingxian, who performed part of the classic "Peony Pavilion," added innovative touches to her performance to attract a younger audience.

Huangmei Opera singer Ma Lan and Yue Opera singer Mao Weitao also participated in the concert, which was broadcast live on Guangdong Satellite TV, Southern TV and Guangdong People's Radio.

Beijing Opera

Beijing Opera

Hong Xiannv, Yue Opera (Canton Opera)

Beijing Opera

Yue Opera

Guangdong's Party secretary Zhang Dejiang and other provincial officials met the artists and took group photos after the show.
(Photo source: Chen Tao, Information Times)

Editor: Wing