Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe

Chinese Kunqu Opera is one of ancient Chinese operas which has experienced more than 600 years. It is the forbear of one hundred operas of ancient Chinese operas which underwent from the very beginning of it's initiation, development and sometimes in ups and downs. So its position in Chinese operas was determined. On 18th May, 2001,it was proclaimed the masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity by the UNESCO, with this honor, kunqu opera was attracting the world.

Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Theatre (Troupe) was founded in 1955. It was set up on the basis of Folk Troupe "GouFeng SuKun Opera Troupe" which is formed by the folk artists such as Zhou Chuanying, Wang Chuansong and Zhu Gouliang, etc. In 1956,when the Fifteen String Copper Coins was put on which attracted the people over the nationwide. Because of its art and good ideas,  it got appreciation and praise from high-rank officials of the state and the Commumist Party. Primer Zhou Enlai praised it highly and regarded it as "Orchid" in the art flowers garden, the People's Daily delivered an editorial article entitled :"One Play revived an ancient Opera". Since then, series of Kunqu opera troupes set up one after another in Zhejiang, where is the birthplace of kunqu opera. By then Kunqu opera went into a newly developing period.

Since the Fifteen String Copper Coins was on, Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe went on to put a series of plays such as the Love Story in West Garden ,the Longevity Hall, the Story of Ups and Downs which were got high reputation and very good praises. With the training and creating by the Chuan (meaning transfer) generation such as Zhou Chuanying and Wang Chuansong, the performers (actors and actresses) are growing up safe and sound. There are prosperously appearing the four generations in the artist circles. i.e. the Chuan (meaning transfer) generation, the Shi(meaning at present time) generation, the Sheng(meaning prosperity) generation, the Xiu(meaning show, excellence) generation. A great number of artists (actors and actresses) appeared, such as Wang Shiyu, Wang Fengmei,Lin Weilin and etc. they got the prize of inheritance and creation granted by the ministry of culture in 1982. They were also praised as excellent artists by The People's Government of ZhejiangProvince in 1986.

Those years, Zhejiang Kunqu Opera (Troupe) was often invited to go abroad to the countries and regions such asJapan, Thailand, Hongkong, Macau,Taiwan,etc, to give performance. Where they went, there they got honors fromOn May 18th ,2001,Chinese Kunqu Opera was recognized by UNESCO as a sort of world cultural heritage which brings a new gleam of hope to the Troupe (Kunqu Opera Theatre). Later on, the cultural ministry of the state council delivered The Ten Years' Plan for the Kunqu Opera and a series of protecting and developing measures for Kunqu Opera. As so far with the support from the leadership of the provincial rank official and the cultural ministry, for the sake of developing Kunqu Opera, Zhejiang Beijing Opera Theatre and Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Theatre were combinedinto one i.e. becoming Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Theatre(Troupe). Now the newly setting up Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupehas more than 90 actors and actresses. Besides the four generations, the fifth generation of the troupe which was called Wan (meaning Ten Thousand) generation appears.

Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe set to start a new voyage. As the leaders of Xiu(show) generations, we have a deep affection for all generations, as the later generation, we are cared deeply by the Chuan(Transfer), Shi(at presenttime), and Sheng (prosperity) generations, they transfered the art to a new generation deeply in a big family, we feel a great deal of lucky, We'll try our best to do it more, better and best performance for the people.