On the afternoon of November 18, 2025, grade 7 students from both the Native and Non-Native Chinese language Classes at SHSID enjoyed a wonderful performance of "Peking Opera on Campus" by the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe in the Grand Auditorium. This event, rich in explanation, performance, and hands-on experience, presented three opera excerpts, offering teachers and students an artistic feast that was educational, entertaining, and aesthetically pleasing, allowing them to immersively experience the unique charm of Peking Opera, a treasured part of traditional Chinese culture.

Understanding and Enjoying the Show: A Unique Introductory Lesson to Peking Opera

Before the event officially began, the host introduced Peking Opera as a quintessential art form of the Chinese nation, listed in UNESCO's "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2010.

The event then officially commenced. Mr. Sun Wei from the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe unveiled the mysteries of Peking Opera for the students in a clear and accessible manner. He briefly introduced renowned Peking Opera artists and the art form's esteemed status, then interactively explained the four main role types—Sheng (male roles), Dan (female roles), Jing (painted-face roles), and Chou (clown roles)—as well as the four fundamental performance skills—Chang (singing), Nian (speech), Zuo (acting), and Da (martial arts). Amidst the students' eager anticipation, he led everyone into the enjoyable and captivating performances.

Let the show begin! First up was the classic excerpt The Magic Fan, adapted from the familiar "Journey to the West" story where Sun Wukong attempts to borrow a Plantain Fan three times. The highlight of The Magic Fan is the combat scene. Mr. Zhao Hongyun, portraying Sun Wukong, displayed his solid foundation in Wusheng (martial male role) skills. The duel between him and Princess Iron Fan was intense and tightly choreographed, vividly capturing the Monkey King's combative and clever nature. Ms. Liao Jingxian, playing Princess Iron Fan, commanded the stage with a powerful presence, her clear voice and resonant speech embodying the heroic bearing of a Daomadan (a type of martial female role). Notably, Mr. Zhao Hongyun specially demonstrated Wusheng fighting movements for the students, wielding the Golden Cudgle with such speed and agility that it stirred the wind, earning rounds of applause from the students.

Before the applause faded, another classic piece, Farewell My Concubine, took the stage. A poignant and decisive sword dance performed by Consort Yu, passionately portrayed by Ms. Sun Yige from the opera troupe, seemed to transport the students back to that deeply moving historical moment. Every movement of her flowing water sleeves was filled with artistic charm and technical mastery.

While the audience was still immersed in the previous atmosphere, the classic martial excerpt Wu Song Fights in the Tavern instantly captured everyone's attention. Mr. Chen Lin and Ms. Wei Juan from the opera troupe, with their impeccable coordination and highly complex short-range combat movements, brought the atmosphere to a climax. Wu Song's staunch courage and Sun Erniang's fierce demeanor leapt onto the stage. The brilliant performance drew continuous cheers from the students, making the previously introduced terminology about role types and performance methods vividly come alive.

Transforming into the 'Monkey King', Striking a Pose: SHSID Students Experience Peking Opera Firsthand  

While enjoying the wonderful performances, the students could hardly contain their excitement and eagerness to step onto the stage themselves. This "Refined Arts on Campus" event perfectly tailored fun, interactive sessions for them.

Mr. Zhao Hongyun, who played Sun Wukong in The Magic Fan, instantly became a "golden coach," personally teaching a few boys who came on stage the classic postures of the "Monkey King." The students imitated the iconic gesture of the Monkey King gazing into the distance—hand raised to the cheek, eyes darting alertly left and right—capturing the monkey's cleverness and curiosity with remarkable vividness. Their youthful and adorable movements elicited constant laughter and applause from the audience, as if a group of "little monkey kings" had burst forth from stone.

The girls, under the guidance of "Consort Yu" Ms. Sun Yige, stepped through the gateway into the elegant world of Dan roles. The students started by learning stylized actions from daily life in opera, such as "opening a door," "pushing open a window to gaze afar," "looking at the sky," and the "orchid palm" gesture. Although each movement was performed with youthful innocence, they nonetheless carried a sense of classical feminine grace and composure. Every smile, frown, lift of the hand, and step began to hint at the subtle charm of opera.

These brief few minutes of experience transformed the students from "spectators" into "participants." Using the lively stances of the "Monkey King" and the graceful gestures of "Consort Yu," they greeted their friends in the audience, who responded with warm applause and sincere cheers.

The seeds of Peking Opera art have been quietly sown in the students' hearts. This was not only a novel cultural experience and a journey of aesthetic appreciation but also a precious opportunity for deep engagement with a national treasure.

Student Feedback: Igniting Interest in Traditional Culture

The students responded enthusiastically to this event, with many thoughts and feelings. Many expressed that their previous exposure to Peking Opera was only through screens, often feeling somewhat distant and obscure. However, this immersive live performance felt exceptionally vivid and relatable. The intricate, flowing movements of the martial artists in Wu Song Fights in the Tavern, depicting a fight in the dark, felt authentic and tangible; Consort Yu's every smile and frown, the flutter of her water sleeves, left a deep impression on the students' minds with their graceful movements. Some students particularly mentioned their fondness for the singing segments—the rhythmic cadence of the vocals, the full and profound emotions, were deeply moving. Everyone remarked that this was a novel and unforgettable artistic initiation, which not only bridged the gap between them and Peking Opera but also ignited within their hearts an appreciation for and interest in exploring traditional Chinese culture.

As the laughter and cheers gradually subsided and the stage curtains slowly closed, the lingering charm of Peking Opera continued to resonate across the campus. This activity reimagined the boundaries of the classroom, allowing the refined national treasure to move from the theater stage into the students' daily Chinese language lives. It is believed that this cultural confidence and aesthetic appreciation will continue to grow and blossom within the students' hearts.

(Written by Zhang Xinyi

Pictures by Ni Minxue,Xujing,Yan Ruoling, Yujia Huang

Reviewed by Chen Fan, Jing Jin,Yujia Huang, The Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe, Shiyu Wu, Louie Parker)