During the recent Two Sessions, discussions focused on the preservation and revitalization of China's rare opera forms. Li Mei, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the Shaanxi Provincial Opera Research Institute, emphasized the critical need for these cultural artifacts to maintain their roots, cultivate new talent, and attract contemporary audiences.
China is home to over 300 distinct opera genres. Many of these are rare forms deeply rooted in local communities and dialects, serving as essential pillars of the nation's operatic heritage and carriers of unique regional memories and ethnic identity. As the "Three-Year Action Plan for Opera Revitalization (2026-2028)" begins implementation, a key question is how to transition the protection of these rare operas from emergency salvage efforts to sustainable, living传承.
Prior to the 2026 Two Sessions, Li Mei conducted research in Fuping County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, investigating the preservation and talent development related to the "Agongqiang," a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage opera form.
When asked about the policy direction of "implementing opera genre protection plans" within the broader Action Plan, Li Mei stated that this focus accurately addresses the core challenges in opera传承. She highlighted that supporting endangered genres is a strategic move to safeguard cultural roots and ensure sustainable development. All opera forms, regardless of size or influence, are vital components of traditional Chinese culture. Rare operas act as "living fossils," preserving historical memories, folk customs, and humanistic spiritsof specific regions, embodying the diversity of the national cultural lineage.
The value of rare operas extends beyond art itself. Firstly, they hold immense cultural传承 value, often retaining ancient vocal techniques, movements, scripts, and performance conventions, providing tangible resources for studying Chinese opera history and folk culture. Secondly, they serve as strong regional identifiers, deeply intertwined with local life and aesthetics, fostering regional cultural identity. Thirdly, they offer artistic complementary value, enriching China's operatic treasury with unique styles that complement mainstream forms, creating a vibrant, pluralistic artistic landscape. Neglecting their protection risks losing an indispensable part of the cultural血脉.
Regarding macro-level planning to "retain the roots" of opera art, Li Mei stressed the importance of systemic protection through top-level design. Key strategies include establishing a unified understanding of the cultural谱系 based on regional characteristics, clarifying each genre's position to foster coordinated development and avoid resource fragmentation. Differentiated protection strategies are essential: implementing "salvage protection" for critically endangered forms, focusing on preserving practitioners, scripts, and props, and "supportive protection" for weaker forms, aiding in reviving traditional repertoire and nurturing young inheritors. Establishing linkage mechanisms where major troupes assist smaller ones can promote resource sharing and collaborative advancement in creation, training, and promotion. Finally, integrating resources from government, troupes, academies, and society is crucial to form a powerful合力 for preservation.
On the challenges in talent cultivation for rare operas, Li Mei identified three main issues: a severe generational gap with aging core practitioners and few young recruits; underdeveloped training systems due to financial and resource constraints; and limited career prospects owing to small market influence, few performance opportunities, and low remuneration. To ensure a continuous flow of new talent, a full-chain approach is needed. This involves strengthening the foundation by supporting core inheritors with incentives and resources, encouraging them to train apprentices, and digitally archiving oral histories, scripts, and scores. Improving training systems through collaborations with art academies can create a tripartite model combining academic education, troupe practice, and master-apprentice training, incorporating modern stagecraft and media skills. Expanding career opportunities by creating performance platforms in schools, communities, and scenic spots, alongside policy support to enhance market visibility and improve career progression and compensation, can make the field more attractive. Finally, igniting youth passion through campus clubs, experiential activities, and short-form video content can draw younger generations into the传承 pipeline.
For expanding传播 channels and integrating rare operas into the modern era to win audiences, Li Mei advocated balancing adherence to tradition ("keeping the essence") with innovation. Effective paths include leveraging "digital+传播" like short videos, live streams, and VR to break spatial and temporal barriers, making operas accessible beyond theaters. Building diverse performance platforms, from national stages to grassroots community shows, can broaden reach. Collaborating with media for features and interviews helps narrate the stories behind these arts. Content innovation is also key:适度 modernizing repertoire, vocals, and staging to resonate with contemporary aesthetics—such as creating smaller, more adaptable productions—can help rare operas truly integrate into the times, secure audiences, and achieve sustainable development.
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