SOME of China's foremost exponents of traditional opera performed at the Shenzhen TV station Saturday evening, captivating the audience that included top Shenzhen officials and residents.

The 13 renowned artists represented eight of the country's major opera schools, namely Beijing opera, Kunqu opera, Hebei clapper opera, Shaoxing opera, Huangmei opera, Sichuan opera, Henan opera and Guangdong opera.

The performers were Beijing opera artists Shang Changrong, Geng Qichang, Liu Changyu, Zhang Huoding, Wang Lijun and Zhu Shihui, well-known Kunqu opera artist Zhang Jingxian, Hebei clapper opera artist Xu Heying, Shaoxing opera artist Zhao Zhigang, Henan opera "queen" Hu Meiling, Huangmei opera artist Ma Lan, Sichuan opera artist Chen Zhilin, and Guangdong opera artist Chen Xiaohan.

Top Shenzhen officials, including Party chief Li Hongzhong and Mayor Xu Zongheng, watched the performances and met the artists after the concert.

The concert offered Shenzheners a rare chance to enjoy a feast of traditional Chinese opera.

The artists earlier performed in Guangzhou and Foshan before coming to Shenzhen. Guangdong plans to make the traditional opera performance an annual event.

Editor: Wing