On the evening of February 3, the Ningbo Natural Stage was buzzing with excitement. Outside the theater, opera enthusiasts queued up with tickets in hand, their faces filled with anticipation. Inside the theater, performers, already in full makeup, waited energetically for their turn on stage...

The Zhejiang Opera Gala made its stop in Ningbo. The event featured a spectacular showcase of 18 classic opera genres, headlined by over 20 national award winners, including recipients of the Plum Blossom Award, Wenhua Award, Golden Osmanthus Award, and Magnolia Award. Distinguished artists and rising stars shared the stage, adding a rich cultural atmosphere to the city of Ningbo.

The gala opened with the grand prologue "The Surging Qiantang River Tide," using the imagery of the Qiantang River tide to integrate shield dances, spear techniques, and group martial arts performances. Four major troupes collaborated to bring heroic figures like Yue Fei and Mu Guiying to the stage, igniting the atmosphere.

The event then unfolded through four chapters: "The Charm of Jiangnan Opera," "Joyful Entertainment," "Deep as the Sea," and "Radiant Splendor." Starting from the four artistic conceptions of "grace, harmony, tenderness, and magnificence," award-winning performers took turns delivering textbook-level performances for the audience.

Cai Zhefei, winner of the Plum Blossom Award, Wenhua Award, and Golden Osmanthus Award, teamed up with Chen Huiling, a Plum Blossom Award and Wenhua Award recipient, to perform the Yue Opera excerpt "Peacocks Fly Southeast," portraying the poignant separation of Jiao Zhongqing and Liu Lanzhi. Li Xuanyu, a dual winner of the Magnolia Award and Golden Osmanthus Award, played the role of Lü Dongbin in the Wu Opera "The Peony Dialogue," exuding elegance and wit. The Kunqu Opera excerpt "The Peony Pavilion: The Interrupted Dream" gathered four Golden Osmanthus Award winners, showcasing the profound heritage of the "ancestor of all operas" with its poetic imagery and elegant singing.

Beyond the brilliance of renowned artists, the collaboration of multiple opera genres was a highlight of the evening.

Additionally, representative works from genres such as Wu Opera, Ou Opera, Ninghai Pingdiao, Hu Opera, Taizhou Luantan, and Hangzhou Opera took turns on stage. "The diversity of Zhejiang opera lies not only in the number of genres but also in the irreplaceable cultural heritage and artistic characteristics of each," said Weng Guosheng, the gala's chief director.

As the first stop of the tour, local elements in Ningbo added a vibrant Ningbo flavor to this opera feast like finishing touches.

Wang Jinwen, a first-class actress and winner of the Wenhua Award, Plum Blossom Award, and Magnolia Award, performed the Yong Opera excerpt "Two Jade Cicadas: Summer Cicadas in the Morning." Her singing, infused with the lively essence of Ningbo's everyday life, resonated deeply with the audience.

The appearance of Ninghai Pingdiao was equally impressive. As a unique opera genre in Ningbo, Lü Yana, a Golden Osmanthus Award winner, portrayed the valiant and radiant Mu Guiying in the prologue "The Surging Qiantang River Tide." In the Ninghai Pingdiao excerpt "The Immortal Dew of the Silver Vase," actress Xue Qiaoping stunned the audience with her "teeth juggling" skill.

"Ningbo was chosen as the first stop of the tour because of its profound opera cultural heritage," said Weng Guosheng.

Next, this opera feast will travel to cities across the province, using the vibrant energy of Zhejiang opera to paint a beautiful picture of shared artistic "happiness" for all. It aims to truly root "Zhejiang Has Opera" in grassroots communities and touch the hearts of the people.