'Hundred Operas Enter Anhui' program unveils January 2026 schedule

The January 2026 performance lineup for the Chinese opera program "Hundred Operas Enter Anhui — Stars Shine in Hefei" was recently announced.

Held in tribute to the 235th anniversary of the historic Hui Opera troupes' journey to Beijing, the event will bring together over ten of China's most celebrated opera forms, including Peking Opera, Yue Opera, Sichuan Opera, and Kunqu Opera.

Many leading performers are recipients of China's highest theatrical honor, the Plum Blossom Award. Throughout January, top-tier productions will be staged across Hefei's major theaters, offering opera lovers a gateway into the depth and beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

A still featuring a character from the Peking Opera "Lady Mu Guiying Takes Command." [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Audiences can look forward to a series of highlights and acclaimed classics. From Jan. 11 to 12, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts will present the Peking Opera "Lady Mu Guiying Takes Command," starring two of the genre's most influential figures, Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu. Renowned for its impressive martial arts performances and lyrical singing, the opera is a classic emblem of Chinese theater, and its dramatic storytelling and vivid characters are bound to resonate across cultural boundaries.

From Jan. 14 to 15, Chongqing Chuanju (Sichuan Opera) Theater will stage the classic "Li Yaxian," starring Shen Tiemei, a three-time Plum Blossom Award winner. The production has toured internationally and was performed at the Budapest Spring Festival in Hungary, where local audiences hailed it as the Chinese "La Traviata."

Another highlight is scheduled for Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, when Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will bring the classic The Palace of Eternal Life to Anhui Baixi Theatre. Presented over four consecutive nights in a complete four-part cycle, the production stars three Plum Blossom Award winners, Luo Chenxue, Li An, and Shen Yili. Often regarded as a masterpiece of Kunqu Opera, it portrays the epic love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang dynasty (618-907) and Imperial Concubine Yang Yuhuan with refined artistry and emotional depth.

Launched on Sept. 28 this year, "Hundred Operas Enter Anhui — Stars Shine in Hefei" has won wide public acclaim, with affordable ticket prices and high-quality performances driving sold-out shows and strong social media buzz.

The program will run through the 2026 Spring Festival.

After each performance, audiences will receive a commemorative ticket stub that grants free entry to tourist destinations in Anhui such as Huangshan Mountain, Jiuhua Mountain, and the historical villages of Xidi and Hongcun, as well as 40 major attractions in the provincial capital Hefei.

Ticket holders can also enjoy discounted packages covering dining, accommodation, transport, shopping, and entertainment.