China’s ancient opera finds a youthful heartbeat
From pre-dawn drills to subsidized stadiums, a new generation is saving six-century-old Kunqu from the brink NANCHANG: Centuries-old Kunqu opera is finding fresh energy in eastern China, where a new generation of performers embraces the demanding art form with discipline and heart, determined to keep a 600-year-old tradition alive on the modern stage. For 22-year-old student Zou Yu at Fuzhou Vocational Technical College in Jiangxi province, the day begins at 5am, followed by eight uninterrupted hours of training covering basic skills, body movement, singing practice and disciplined stage rehearsals. Her commitment comes at a price. Three years ago she fell
