In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Chinese opera being incorporated into China’s higher education curriculum, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts hosted the 2018 Chinese Bowstring Arts Festival from Nov 14 to 18.

With a special focus on traditional Chinese string instruments, particularly huqin (a category of bowed string instruments), the festival showcased the achievements the academy has made in Chinese opera education and innovation via a range of concerts, lectures and seminars.

Song Fei, vice-president of the academy and the Chinese Musicians Association, said that the festival intends to build a platform for an integrated development of opera and music.

The opening ceremony, held on Nov 14, included a concert which selected classic pieces from the operas of different regions, including Peking opera from Beijing, Yu opera from Henan province, Yueju from Zhejiang province, and Yangju from Jiangsu Province.

While highlighting zhuhu, the lead huqin player of the accompanying ensemble, the repertoire also included renowned Peking opera arias, such as Beating a Drum To Curse Cao.

Xiu Hailin, professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, said that musical accompaniment is a vital part of Chinese opera. “As more instruments are used in the accompaniment and the music pieces get widely spread, the development of opera can also be facilitated.”