Measures needed to save Chinese operas

The local opera is an integral part of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage. But the diversity is gradually becoming diluted and many operas face a bleak future. Operas that originated in the remote inlands are plagued by a lack of young participants as well as shrinking audiences. On top of that, the performers can barely make a living.

The just-concluded exhibition of Chinese opera was the largest seen in recent years. Altogether, 25 operas were exhibited in forty-five shows running for a month.

The stellar productions included the traditional local opera "Jiujin Girl", the period opera "Fushan Coming to Beijing", and the comedy "Aunt A'Da". A new production of "The Butterfly Lovers" from the Zhejiang Yueju Opera Troupe was a big draw for a considerable number of young audience members.

However the box office success of the few exemplary pieces does not reflect the chilly picture. According to experts, local operas are disappearing.

Huang Zaimin, director, China Art Research Institute said, "Local operas amounted to over three hundred a couple of years ago. The number now has dwindled to over 200. Ten or twenty operas could be disappearing in one year or two. Once they're gone, you won't get them back."