Artists pass down traditional Yunnan Opera

An interior view of the Yunnan Opera Museum in Niujiezhuang, Kunming

Yunnan Opera, or Dian Opera, is the most prominent local opera genre in Yunnan, boasting a history of nearly 300 years. In 2008, it was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage in China. Located in Niujiezhuang, Guandu District, Kunming City, the Yunnan Opera Museum preserves the rich legacy of this art form and plays a crucial role in its inheritance. A dedicated group of folk Yunnan Opera enthusiasts is quietly working to revitalize this ancient genre, striving to infuse it with new vitality.

Niujiezhuang has long been recognized as the “cradle of Yunnan Opera,” with over 200 years of history in its transmission. The Niujiezhuang Yunnan Opera Museum is situated here, making it the only folk Yunnan Opera museum in the region and home to the largest folk Yunnan Opera troupe. This museum serves as a vital hub for the preservation and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province.

 

A Yunnan Opera is staged in Niujiezhuang, Kunming.

The museum was founded by Zhang Yong, the father of curator Zhang Chunli. Born into a family with a rich tradition in Yunnan Opera, Zhang Yong was influenced by his esteemed relatives—his eldest uncle, Zhang Rong, and his second uncle, Zhang Kun, were among the first-generation Yunnan Opera artists, while his uncle Zhang De’en represented the second generation. Growing up in an environment steeped in Yunnan Opera, Zhang Yong became a well-known martial male role actor at a young age. His passion for the art form led him to serve as the leader of the Niujiezhuang Amateur Yunnan Opera Troupe for many years, where he guided the troupe in performances across various locations.

The museum houses a collection of Yunnan Opera cultural relics that Zhang Yong has amassed over the course of several decades. These relics encompass scripts and scores dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (1628-1700), along with costumes, props, and performance photos of veteran artists from Niujiezhuang. Under the meticulous stewardship of Zhang Yong and his team, the Yunnan Opera Museum has evolved into a crucial window through which the public can gain an understanding of and draw near to Yunnan Opera.

 

A young fan of Yunnan Opera (left) experiences the make-up of the art form.  

The evolving times have posed numerous challenges to the inheritance of Yunnan Opera. Zhang Chunli is acutely aware that in the present day, with the plethora of entertainment options available, people are spoilt for choice. Additionally, learning Yunnan Opera demands an extended training period and is rather arduous. It typically takes around six years to groom a professional actor, yet the performance remuneration leaves much to be desired. Under these circumstances, it has become exceedingly difficult to entice the public to embark on the journey of learning Yunnan Opera.

Despite being under intense pressure, Zhang Chunli has remained steadfast and refused to give up. Alongside the professional teachers invited by the museum, she painstakingly instructs the members of the Yunnan Opera troupe in classic Yunnan Opera plays, including “The Women Generals of the Yang Family,” “The Case of Executing Chen Shimei,” and “The Legend of the White Snake.” Simultaneously, with the aim of aligning Yunnan Opera more closely with the aesthetic preferences of modern audiences, they are vigorously rehearsing new productions. Moreover, Zhang Chunli has actively engaged in the “Opera Entering Campus” initiative and introduced Yunnan Opera to six schools. Her aspiration is to sow the seeds of Yunnan Opera in the hearts of children and foster a reserve talent pool for the inheritance of this art form.

 

Zhang Chunli directs a scene of the Yunnan Opera.

The journey of inheriting Yunnan Opera is fraught with difficulties, and Zhang Chunli at times experiences fatigue and confusion. She frequently thinks of her father, Zhang Yong. “My father led an extremely frugal life. He was only willing to spend 50 to 60 yuan on a pair of leather shoes. However, whenever the troupe had learned a new play and needed to purchase costumes and props, even if it cost tens of thousands of yuan, he would unhesitatingly part with the money.” Her father’s profound love for Yunnan Opera and his selfless devotion have had a profound impact on and inspired Zhang Chunli. She firmly holds the belief that in this diverse era, traditional cultures such as Yunnan Opera can, through people's endeavors, be rediscovered by the younger generation and radiate with new luster.

Text by Yunnan Daily
Translated by YNTA