Opera program of Spring Festival Gala features classic pieces, showcasing enduring charm of opera art

The opera program of this year's CMG Spring Festival Gala will highlight a joyful and festive theme, featuring classic pieces from various genres.

Renowned artists and emerging talents will share the stage enhanced by advanced technologies like virtual effects and projections, showcasing the timeless vitality of opera art.

Peking Opera artist Meng Guanglu is set to take the Spring Festival Gala stage for the 25th time, celebrating New Year's Eve with the audience.

"Peking Opera culture is both an image and a source of strength. Therefore, our performances on stage must embody this spirit and energy, providing the audience with a form of spiritual nourishment," said Meng.

This year's Spring Festival Gala opera program will, for the first time, feature the joint performance of Kunqu melodies by Kunqu, Peking Opera, and Wu Opera to highlight Kunqu's status as the "ancestor of hundred operas."

In addition, young actors will debut Xiang Opera on the Spring Festival Gala, while renowned Yu Opera artists will present classic pieces. The entire program, performed as an opera medley, will offer audiences a grand feast of traditional theater.

"We selected opera pieces with auspicious meanings that embody the virtues of truth, kindness, and beauty. These include signature pieces expressing the joy of reunion after a long separation, acts of gratitude, the bold spirit of perseverance in old age, and the celebration of longevity and well-being. On the grand stage of the Spring Festival Gala, these performances aim to convey the wonderful qualities of traditional culture and heartfelt blessings to the audiences nationwide," said Deng Yun, who is in charge of the opera program of the Spring Festival Gala.

Opera program of Spring Festival Gala features classic pieces, showcasing enduring charm of opera art

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing on Friday to discuss relations between their two countries, saying that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Laos.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, Li said China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Laos in the fields of trade and investment, railways, energy and minerals, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges, accelerate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, enhance multilateral cooperation and coordination, promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level, and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples.

At the meeting, Thongloun Sisoulith, also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, expressed appreciation for China's long-standing support and assistance to Laos. He said Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields, and promote the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future to achieve more results.

Chinese premier meets visiting Lao president on relations