Laoqiang Opera Experiences a Revival in China

Laoqiang, an ancient type of Chinese opera from China's Shaanxi Province, is currently undergoing a revival due to the efforts of veteran performers.

Zhang Ximin is a 66-year-old Laoqiang opera performer from a village near northwest China's city of Huayin. Zhang has devoted his life to the indigenous art form for more than 50 years. Together with ten other veterans of the art, he has given Laoqiang performances at Beijing's National Grand Theater, as well as in Tokyo and New York.

He says Laoqiang opera was very popular in Huayin when he was young. He still remembers that the courtyard wall at one performance was almost pushed over by audience members crowding into the venue. After the Cultural Revolution, Zhang discovered that Laoqiang opera had lost its popularity.

Zhang’s family has practiced Laoqiang for generations, and the idea of it being forgotten was something he just couldn’t bare. The region's local cultural department helped a group of Laoqiang practitioners to rehearse a new play, which ended up winning first prize at a provincial art festival.

After the win, Laoqiang opera began its path of revival. One famous Chinese director adopted Laoqiang into his nationally renowned drama, which spread the once-fading opera style to the whole nation.

Since then, Zhang and his fellow practitioners have given seven or eight performances in Beijing every year. The group has also given performances abroad.

Laoqiang opera was listed as an item of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

In addition, Zhang's grandson, Zhang Meng, has developed an interest in Laoqiang. The young Zhang Meng performed a Laoqiang musical piece at a school celebration, which received much acclaim from his classmates.

[Zhang Meng, Laoqiang Performer]:
"After my performance, some of my classmates said they are also interested in learning Laoqiang opera. I told them to follow me if they wanted to learn."

Although Laoqiang was once Zhang's family heirloom, he says he’s happy to teach others.