Yue Opera began in 1906 in Zhejiang's Shengzhou County, soon spreading to Shanghai, where numerous performances were staged. Unlike other Chinese operas, frequently feature acrobatics(杂技)and martial arts, Yue Opera stresses singing, and the vocal(嗓音的)style is (particular)suited for telling love stories.
Today, Yue Opera ranks as the second most popular form of Chinese opera, right behind globally recognized Peking Opera.
The success of Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe's (表演团)(perform)of New Dragon Gate Inn among the younger generation even caught Wang, the troupe's president, by surprise. "Over 80% of the audience are new young fans. This has added great confidence our theater troupe," she says.
Wang notes that the production team includes a wide age range, from (individual)born in the 1940s to the post-1995 generation.
"We did this (allow)experienced people to provide support and guidance for young actors while (keep)the classical heritage of Yue Opera and trying to satisfy the aesthetic(审美观)of the times," Wang explains.
The play (maintain)traditional Yue Opera vocal styles but includes modern cinematic elements in (it)arrangement, costumes, and makeup to create a unique spectacle.