"Without innovation and progress, Peking Opera could not live tomorrow. But the cut and choice of colors has been expanded," the president said, drawing a parallel with Peking Opera. "About 20 years ago, I wore Zhongshan Zhuang (Chinese tunic suit), and now it is still my favorite Chinese tunic. He had three philosophies in mind inheriting tradition while innovating, discovering and training talent for tomorrow, and promoting Peking Opera to a wider audience. Above all, the company was burdened with a debt of 4 million yuan (US$493,000).ĭespite warnings from friends, Wu decided to accept the challenge of turning things round. When Wu took up his leading position, the National Peking Opera Theater gave fewer than 100 shows per year without trying new productions, mostly reviving old repertory. Wherever the company tours overseas, there is always a large number of Chinese eager to secure tickets.īut closer to home, Peking Opera, like many other traditional art genres, is being beaten out by film, TV, pop music, contemporary theater and many other types of entertainment. Wu believes Peking Opera is a sort of national melody that can remind Chinese people living abroad of their motherland. "In my opinion, 'Jing' is not 'Beijing' but 'the capital,' extended to the nation, so 'Jing Ju' is not the opera of Beijing, but the national standard art," said Wu, who majored in Chinese literature at Peking University. In Chinese, Peking Opera is called Jing Ju. "I hope Peking Opera can have a position in the world's biggest entertainment city," said Wu. If all goes to plan, Wu is considering sending an ensemble to Las Vegas with a view to giving daily performances. With these goals reached, the ambitious president is eyeing the international market.Īfter touring the United States for the Festival of China presented by the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in October, Wu is getting ready to wow audiences at the Lincoln Center in New York and in Las Vegas, Nevada, next year. Since he was appointed president of the National Peking Opera Company in April 2000, Wu has dreamt of having a regular season and venue. "The season should be a feast for our loyal fans." #Soon young peking opera series"We hope to present a best ever series of shows to usher in the New Year," said the 56-year-old company director. Wu is currently preparing for the coming New Year season, which features 29 shows in four venues. With the opening of the Experimental Theater in its recently-built office complex last month and the opening of the new Grand Mei Lanfang Theater in December, the National Peking Opera Company will soon boast a year-round season in its own theaters. Under the direction of President Wu Jiang, the China National Peking Opera Company has established three short seasons a year May, October and during the New Year holidays. Most performing arts companies based in Beijing do not have a regular schedule or home venue, and must struggle on in the face of underfunding and a lack of loyal fans.īut the National Peking Opera Company is trying to overcome the many hurdles on the road to success. New Generation Awakens to Joys of Peking Opera
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