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On the evening of March 26, a special performance commemorating the 120th anniversary of Yue Opera was held at the Yue Opera Arts Center in Shengzhou, a county-level city in Shaoxing. The event brought together several renowned Yue Opera performers, drawing a large audience of theater enthusiasts.

A renowned Yue Opera artist performs a classic repertoire. [Photo/Ma Yulong]

Veteran Yue Opera artists such as Ni Jinjin and Qiu Qiaofang also graced the stage, offering a theatrical retrospective on the century-long history of the art form. In addition, original productions like the musical performance Setting Sail with the Wind made their debut at the event.

Performers reenact iconic scenes from Yue Opera productions, set against a traditional Jiangnan-inspired stage backdrop of bamboo forests and pavilions. [Photo/Ma Yulong]

The event also featured amateur performers from Shengzhou's Yue Opera Village competition, showcasing the cultural charm of Yue Opera while highlighting the region’s local identity. The atmosphere was dynamic, and many audiences expressed delight at being able to enjoy such high-caliber performances close to home, noting the rich and growing opera culture in the area.

A blend of dance and song throughout the evening pays tribute to the legacy of Yue Opera. [Photo/Ma Yulong]

Shengzhou has been focusing on producing high-quality Yue Opera in recent years, aiming to attract younger audiences to the art form. The city plans to host more cultural events and subsidized performances to make Yue Opera more accessible to the public.