Yang Xiayun and Lou Sheng, winners of the Plum Blossom Award, perform in a Wuju Opera during the 2023 Zhejiang Rare Opera Performances in Ningbo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2023 Zhejiang Rare Opera Performances were held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Feb 15, enthralling audiences with various genres of opera from across the province.

In addition to Yueju and Wuju operas, rare operas such as Pingdiao, Yaoju, Luantan and Yongju were also performed. Winners of the Plum Blossom Award, China's highest prize for stage performances, also brought wonderful performances to enable locals to experience opera up close.

During the event, Liu Jiankuan's Studio was launched in Ninghai county to promote the development of Ninghai Pingdiao (flat tone), an opera that originated in Ninghai in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

Liu Jiankuan, director of the Department of Drama at the Zhejiang Controversy of Music, has been working in theater for more than 20 years.

The 2023 Zhejiang Rare Opera Performances are held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Feb 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Jiankuan's Studio is launched in Ninghai county to promote the development of Ninghai Pingdiao (flat tone). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]