Classic excerpts from multiple opera genres were performed at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on the night of Monday -- the Chinese New Year's Eve -- by a group of renowned artists and talented young children showcased the enduring vigor and vitality of China's operatic heritage.
Leading the performance was Tan Xiaozeng, the sixth-generation descendant of a renowned Peking Opera family that created the Tan School of Peking Opera, shared the stage with performers spanning four generations, elderly, middle-aged, young adults and children.
Tan and his fellow artists presented a classic excerpt from Dingjun Mountain, which tells the story of a battle that took place in the year 219, during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), vividly portraying the heroic spirit and vigor of the veteran general Huang Zhong.
A striking contrast unfolded on stage when five-and-a-half-year-old Yang Sikun appeared in full costume as a "mini General Huang Zhong."
His youthful voice, tender yet resonant and impassioned, earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. He performed an excerpt titled "In the Yellow Silk Tent."
"I am five and a half years old. Today I sang the excerpt 'In the Yellow Silk Tent.' The character I played is Huang Zhong. When I put on the costume, I felt very handsome, just like a great hero," Yang said.
To help the child accurately grasp the stylistic characteristics of the Tan School's interpretation of Dingjun Mountain, Tan Xiaozeng provided one-on-one coaching.
From hand gestures and stage poses to the nuances of vocal delivery, the veteran artist offered meticulous guidance.
"I believe we should indeed encourage our kids to have more exposure to our traditional Chinese culture and more exposure to Peking Opera to breed successors for Peking Opera," Tan said.
In the opera section performance, the veteran artists demonstrated undiminished passion and skills, while the young performers showcased their talent om opera.
In an excerpt from the Peking Opera "Selling Water", 60 kindergarten children sang and danced their way from the stage aisles into the audience, igniting the crowd's enthusiasm.
They were followed by Gu Wenyue, an 81-year-old Pingju Opera artist who was ushered to the center of the stage by three huadan (vivacious and unmarried female characters in Peking Opera).
Together they performed "Reciting the Names of Flowers", a lively and rhythmic piece celebrating blossoms in full bloom.
The gentle elegance of the veteran artist and the lively charm of the young performers created a memorable scene articulating the enduring charm of the opera.
"Seeing these children, I feel that our traditional opera is even more hopeful," Gu said.
"Inheritance means that our teachers teach Pingju Opera to us, and when we grow up, we will teach it to more children," said young Pingju performer Xia Yanxi.
"It is indeed very nice to enjoy traditional opera. I think when other children hear it, they will also like it very much," said Tian Mu, another young performer.
The Spring Festival Gala is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Media Group (CMG). It is broadcast annually on the eve of the Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1 and internationally through the China Global Television Network. The Gala has the largest audience of any entertainment show in the world, and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most watched television program.
Veteran performers lead as young talents carry forward opera legacy in Spring Festival Gala
