Ancient opera finds new voice

Building a fan base

Liu Yuxuan's audience data reveals that 52 percent of his followers are under 23, with another 25 percent between 24 and 30 years old — age groups traditionally considered lost to opera. One mother even shared that Liu Yuxuan's Ultraman opera has become her 10-year-old son's constant audio companion.

This generational shift is increasingly visible in theaters. Lu Qian, a young opera enthusiast from Zhejiang province who attended nearly 40 performances in one year, confirms this trend. "When I go to theaters, about a third of the audience consists of young people," she observes.

Having watched Yueju Opera with her grandparents as a child, Lu rediscovered the art form during graduate school. "Many people who love opera have childhood memories providing that foundation," she explains. "These early impressions create connections that draw you back later in life."

Lu's interests span multiple opera forms including Yueju, Kunqu, and Huangmei operas. Despite a busy work schedule, she tracks specific performers or particularly noteworthy productions. She estimates spending 2,000-3,000 yuan ($293-440) annually on tickets, not counting travel expenses for performances in Shanghai, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, and Nanjing, Jiangsu province. Such dedication is increasingly common among young opera enthusiasts.

Beyond acting as spectators, many young enthusiasts are also taking up the art themselves. During her postgraduate studies, Lu joined a university Yueju Opera society, and she continues to take evening classes at professional institutions alongside students of all ages.

Similarly, Huang Yibao, a graduate student from Guangdong's Chaoshan region, grew up with village opera performances during traditional festivals. Though not fully understanding the art as a child, Huang became captivated by hometown opera on television around age 12 and has maintained this passion since.

Today, she has also turned her passion into her academic pursuit, researching how traditional theater adapts to rapid social change while maintaining essential characteristics and cultural values.

Studying in Wuhan, Hubei province, Huang regularly attends productions, sometimes watching more than 30 performances annually. Her current favorite is Yueju Opera from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, drawn to its melodious vocals and romantic stories.

"The most compelling aspect of watching opera live is the shared emotional experience with other audience members," she explains. "When performers hit a climax, the collective appreciation in the room creates an electric, deeply satisfying atmosphere."

These modern opera communities also mirror contemporary fan culture. Young enthusiasts exchange homemade promotional materials and design stylized performance posters. Some performers attract dedicated followings similar to pop star fandom.

Popular performers like Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao regularly have banners held up by fans, Huang says. "Following opera performers is completely normal, just like entertainment celebrities."