Much like the role the violin plays in a western symphony orchestra, the Jinghu, a two-stringed bowed instrument with a very high pitch, is a fundamental instrument in a Peking Opera orchestra. The Peking Opera equivalent of the world's most difficult instrument is not a halfpenny easier to command than the violin. On the night of Feb 28, the 15th anniversary of the musical career of Jinghu performer Yan Shouping was celebrated at the Chang'an Grand Theater.

For once, the focus isn't on the passionate voices of the country's brightest Peking Opera stars. Under the spotlight tonight is 63-year-old Yan Shouping, whose half-a-century musical career as an accompanist is being celebrated with a star-studded lineup. Playing to a packed house of 800 seats, Yan Shouping worked his way through the long list of his masterpieces and displayed his excellent mastery over the Jinghu.

Many of the country's established Peking Opera stars, all of whom have sung to the accompaniment of Yan Shouping, were there to lend their luster to China's No. 1 Jinghu musician.

Yan Shouping was the first Jinghu musician to ever hold personal concerts and the one who brought the Jinghu from backstage onto the stage. This time Yan Shouping is simply driven by a passion to throw his beloved art under the limelight.

The concert was broadcast live to a nationwide audience on China Central Television's traditional opera channel.

(CCTV.com March 3, 2004)