Centuries-old Chinese opera captivates new fans in Berlin

BERLIN — Petra Lehmann did not expect such a vivid glimpse of traditional Chinese culture so close to home just a month before setting off on a two-week trip to China.

On the evening of Sept 30, Lehmann, chairwoman of the German-Chinese Friendship Association in Ludwigsfelde, watched intently as performers brought the centuries-old Wu Opera tradition to life on stage at Urania Berlin.

"When they jumped, you could hardly hear a sound. It was as if they were flying," Lehmann said.

Having previously seen only brief excerpts of similar Chinese performances, she said the evening gave her a much fuller impression of the art form and made her eager to learn more on her upcoming trip to China.

Lehmann was among more than 800 spectators who packed the theater for a performance by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe of Zhejiang province. The show featured a range of classic pieces, drawing repeated rounds of applause.

Wu Opera, also known as Jinhua Opera, originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and spans more than 500 years. As one of Zhejiang's major regional operatic genres, Wu Opera is a national intangible cultural heritage.