Survey of Yiyang Opera in Jiangxi Provincial Opera and Dance Theatre, Nanchang City

Abstract

Background and Aims: One of China's oldest opera traditions, Yiyang Opera dates back to the Song and Yuan dynasties and has had a major impact on Peking, Sichuan, and Hunan operas. However, the lack of formal education systems, generational divides, and dwindling audiences present significant obstacles for Yiyang Opera today. In order to protect intangible cultural assets and strengthen national cultural identity, their maintenance is essential. This study aimed to (1) survey the current practices of Yiyang Opera performance and teaching at Jiangxi Provincial Opera and Dance Theatre. (2) Investigate the teaching and transmission methods that integrate traditional instruction with modern educational concepts. (3) Identify key challenges and opportunities in sustaining Yiyang Opera, particularly regarding generational inheritance, pedagogy, and audience engagement.

Methodology: Three seasoned Yiyang Opera inheritors and educators, each with over 15 years of teaching experience, provided the data for the study, which used descriptive analysis. Among the instruments used were semi-structured interviews, survey forms, and structured classroom observations. Notes, recordings, photographs, and transcriptions were used to collect the data, which was then examined for qualitative content. Validity and dependability were guaranteed via triangulation and expert review.

Results: The results showed that Yiyang Opera training is still based on mentorship and oral instruction, preserving authenticity but lacking formal frameworks. It was emphasized that incorporating contemporary teaching resources, like multimedia materials and structured curricula, is crucial for sustainability. The average age of the audience was 58.6 years, highlighting the generational divide and the pressing need for youth-focused involvement. As training facilities and performance venues, professional theaters were found to be essential to the transmission of culture. A key revival tactic has been striking a balance between innovation and preservation, such as by implementing new technology and building digital archives.

Conclusion: A two-pronged strategy is needed to revitalize Yiyang Opera: institutional backing and innovative teaching. Examples of successful tactics include integrating opera into youth cultural programs, growing theater-school partnerships, and fusing classic teaching methods with contemporary instruction. By providing useful suggestions for maintaining Yiyang Opera and a reproducible approach for incorporating traditional arts into contemporary schooling, this study aids in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.