Li Anping practices Mengxi opera by a pond at Ganzhu Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. Li Anping, 56, is a farmer in Ganzhu Township of Guangchang County in east China's Jiangxi Province, and his father is an amateur actor of a local Mengxi opera troupe. When he was young, Li usually watched his father's play. He was moved by the characters' stories deeply and attracted by the philosophy of life conveyed in the opera. After graduating from junior high school, he joined a troupe in the county and studied opera with old artists.
Originated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Guangchang Mengxi opera is a kind of opera based on the folklore of Lady Meng Jiang. The opera is mainly sung in high tune, accompanied by only small gongs and drums.
"When I started to learn opera, singing was the most difficult part. Mengxi opera's tune is very high and the range is wide. Sometimes I could only learn one libretto in a few weeks," said Li Anping.
There are many emotional expressions in Mengxi opera. "When you put on the costume, you need to forget yourself," the teacher taught Li Anping. Following the teacher's guidance, sometimes Li ended up with tears in his eyes after singing because he got too deep into the character. Thanks to his love for the opera and hard practice, Li has gradually become a key actor of the troupe.
"In the past, there were many people watching the opera during the holidays. The stage was even once crushed by the children on it," Li recalled. In the 1990s, many young people in the troupe went out to do business and work. Li also thought about that. "If you leave, who will pass on this opera to the next generation?" The teacher's words made Li give up his idea.
In 2006, Mengxi opera was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage. Now, the troupe where Li is from have dozens of performances every year.
Today, as a representative inheritor of Guangchang Mengxi opera, Li archives the old plays and compiles some new ones. He also provides classes to the students in the county.
"The troupe still lacks young people. I hope that more young people can receive professional opera training. The characters and stories in Mengxi opera convey traditional virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness. The villagers love to watch Mengxi opera, and as an inheritor, I have the responsibility to pass on the folk art." Li Anping is full of hope for the future of the opera. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
This combo photo shows the troupe members posing for a group photo outside their troupe in Ganzhu Township (above) and them posing for a group photo before a performance in Xigang Village (below) in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping adjusts lighting equipment before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (L) arranges costumes for a performance in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (L) reads scripts at the backstage of a Mengxi opera troupe in Ganzhu Township in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
An artist picks a headdress when putting on makeup at the backstage of a Mengxi opera troupe in Ganzhu Township in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
A troupe member has a meal before performing in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping puts on makeup before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (R) moves a drum onto a truck for a performance in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (L) helps an amateur put on makeup at the backstage of a Mengxi opera troupe in Ganzhu Township in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artists put on makeup before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping practices Mengxi opera by a pond at Ganzhu Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping performs Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping performs Mengxi opera with tears in his eyes in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Troupe members have a meal before performing in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
A truck carrying costumes and stage properties of Mengxi opera moves in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (C) practices with troupe members at a Mengxi opera troupe in Ganzhu Township in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artists perform Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artists perform Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
An aerial drone photo taken on May 10, 2024 shows villagers watching Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo by Zeng Henggui/Xinhua)
Villagers watch Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Photo by Zeng Henggui/Xinhua)
Staff members prepare for a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artists put on makeup before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artists perform Mengxi opera in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (R) adjusts audio equipment before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping arranges his headdress before a performance in Xigang Village in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Li Anping (1st L) demonstrates moves of Mengxi opera to students at a primary school in Guangchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
