Due to financial problems and a lack of professional performers, many Chinese opera troupes in China today find it hard to continue and have to disband. The type of Chinese operas reduced sharply from 368 in 1950s to 267 in 2005.

Chinese operas, noted for slowness and elegance, can seem behind the times when life in the fast lane is the dominant theme of today’s people. In particular the younger generation is prone to chic modern entertainment ranging from TV series to films, computer games, and karaoke.

Jinju Opera "Fengguantai"

Where are the traditional Chinese operas going? How to arouse interest from the younger generation to prevent this artform from extinction? This has become a compelling concern for both top cultural officials and folk artists in the country.

  

Two years ago, Ren Xieyong, the vice president of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Hunan province, submitted a motion on how to save the highlight repertories of local operas at the forth session of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee. Meanwhile, China Association Promoting Democracy also submitted a similar motion to CPPCC. Ministry of Culture gave positive response to the two motions, saying local operas should keep pace with the times.

  

Under the guideline of the Ministry of Culture, in 2007, China Art Academy and a Hunan-based animation company initiated a project which aims at re-creating Chinese theatrical repertoires in the form of animated cartoons. They have a big plan. According to Zhang Lei, the director of digital art creation center of China Art Academy, the first part of the project includes 100 series, covering 54 types of Chinese operas.