In 2001, Kunqu opera, the 600 year old art form, became the first Chinese item on UNESCO’s world intangible heritage list. Since then, the age old opera’s status has seen a great boost. And nowhere is that better seen than in Suzhou where the 5th Kunqu opera festival is drawing to a close.

Apart from its waterways, beautiful gardens and elaborate embroidery, Suzhou is the birthplace of another exquisite art, Kunqu opera. The city is now hosting its 5th Kunqu opera festival.

Over the past 8 days, seven major Kunqu opera troupes from across the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as colleges have presented 25 stage shows, in competition for the event’s highest honor. It’s also featured an annual gathering of amateur Kunqu singers.

Veteran performer Cai Zhengren, hailed for his role in the Kunqu opera classic "Palace of Eternal Youth", was among the 11 masters of the art to receive disciples in an official ceremony. The ceremony with one master taking in two disciples, is a new measure initiated by China’s Ministry of Culture to guarantee the art passes down to new generations.

Kunqu Actor, said, "I learned from teachers before. But this formal ceremony give us a responsibility, that we’ll not disgrace our tutor."

It’s the Kunqu opera classic "Peony Pavilion", most widely performed both in China and overseas, that popularizes the art to a wider audience. But it’s the festival piece, "A Dream of Red Mansions" that injects new lease of life into it. The literary classic depicts many scenes where its characters watch Kunqu opera, the dominating art in the era of the novel. It’s an apt adaptation. This year, both the Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe and the Jiangsu Kunqu Troupe have their own take on the novel.

Yang Fengyi, Director of Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe, said, Because the era changes, we’ve created new dramas like this one "A Dream of Red Mansions". Because characters’ thoughts are nearer to the young audience. We also put in some modern elements in the sets and music.

Jiangsu Kunqu Opera troupe, based in Nanjing, is a southern powerhouse practising the art. It has its their own theater and now puts on more than 300 shows per year. Shan Wen, who plays Lin Daiyu in their version of "A Dream of Red Mansions" is a star. She says each of her shows sells out, and young audiences can easily resonate to a young performer.

Shan Wen, Actress, Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Troupe, said, "Because we are young faces, the audience can easily relate to us."

You can see many young faces in the festival audience. Some are drawn by the elegance of the opera, while some say Kunqu opera is good at telling stories.

Kunqu Opera Fan, said, "Kunqu’s beauty is its elegance, it leaves a lingering afterthought."

Kunqu Opera Fan, said, "Although it’s a very old art form, the feelings it deals with are universal and unchanging, such as love. It resonates even with modern audiences."

With sponsorship from the government, more than fifty Kunqu opera pieces have been staged in recent years. Art troupes visit colleges and tour foreign countries to promote the art.

Hailed by the nation as an "orchid" among all China’s operatic arts, the art form is now becoming known and appreciated by many more people.

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