Living antique: Peking opera lives on at Beijing club
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The traditional opera house still holds daily performances. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com] |
The colorful opera costumes displayed in glass cases are the most popular attractions for visitors, according to Huo Jianqing. But the museum's most precious and exclusive item is an embroidered picture featuring Qing Dynasty opera star Chen Delin alongside photos of his students.
The museum is a good complement to the daily Peking opera performances, which provide English and Chinese subtitles as well as English and Japanese translations via headsets. The performances take place in the club's traditional opera house with tickets starting at 180 yuan per person. On weekends, the club also hosts other types of performances, such as Kunqu opera and crosstalk shows, although they do not provide translations for foreign audiences.
The Huguang Club also hosts foreign students studying Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University, who want to learn more about Peking opera through workshops on performances and costume makeup.
Through the museum, performances and workshops, Huo Jianqing hopes to keep Peking opera alive and educate visitors about its history and importance.
"At the time Peking opera was created, it was the center of people's entertainment life," Huo said. "But with the development of society, people have more options for entertainment, which I think is progress. But, it's an important part of our cultural heritage, so we should try our best to promote and remember it."
