Peking opera artist Yan Qinggu gives a special concert at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre. [Photo/Longhua Community]

　　It is not uncommon to see English subtitles when you are watching a live Peking opera performance. But what if the opera is sung in English? On November 19, famed Peking opera artist Yan Qinggu gave a special concert at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre, where he sang a traditional Peking opera play “The Story of the Orphan” in English.

　　Residents from the nearby Longhua Community in Xuhui District, students from the Shanghai Civil Aviation College and Peking opera enthusiasts from all over the country came to watch the concert. The event was part of a campaign initiated by the Longhua Community and the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre to popularize Peking Opera, the quintessence of Chinese culture.

Peking opera artist Yan Qinggu gives a special concert at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre. [Photo/Longhua Community]

　　“Shanghai is an international metropolis with a fusion of various cultures. By adding English, Japanese and other foreign language elements, we can bring the appeal of Peking operas to more people. It is also in line with the inclusive spirit of Shanghai,” said Yan Qinggu.

Among the audience are many young college students. [Photo/Longhua Community]

　　The Peking opera artist also presented a Kyōgen performance at the theatre, showcasing the distinctive appeal of the traditional Japanese comedy to the Chinese audience.