Three young performers from Beijing Opera of Shanxi Province Co became apprentices to three masters of Peking Opera in Taiyuan on Nov 23.

Li Mingyan, Li Bopei and Zhang Yanling, who have a wealth of experience in teaching and stage performance, enrolled the three Shanxi performers. The masters are from different schools of art that specialize in Peking Opera.

The event will not only improve the young performers' acting skills, but also contribute to keeping the traditional opera alive for future generations.

"I'm so grateful and excited that our school of art has students in Shanxi and we hope that more people will join the dissemination of the opera," said Li Bopei of the Xi Xiaobo school, one of the branches of Peking Opera.

In addition, the Beijing Opera of Shanxi Province Co signed an agreement with National Peking Opera Co at the recruitment ceremony. The two sides will cooperate on writing operas and training more performers.

Beijing Opera of Shanxi Province Co, founded in 1956, is committed to reviving Peking Opera across the province. It has taken part in the China Peking Opera Festival several times, winning many national awards.

Sheng Zhiqiang (M), an opera performer in Shanxi province, becomes an apprentice of Li Bopei (L), a master of Peking Opera, at Shanxi Mei Lanfang Theatre on Nov 23. [Photo/sxrb.com]