The graceful, melodious charm of Huangmei Opera filled the Clean Energy Building, while exquisite opera makeup and costumes drew the attention of Chinese and international participants.
On the evening of October 31st, the Huangmei Opera Cultural Experience Salon—part of the “Yuyuan Opera Festival”—was held in Conference Room S311 of the Clean Energy Building. Co-hosted by the School of Arts, the Art Education Center of HUST, and the Hubei Huangmei Opera Art Theater, and organized by ICARE, the event provided an immersive experience that allowed international teachers and students to engage with traditional Chinese opera up close.
At 7 p.m., nearly 70 participants gathered for the event. After opening remarks, Mr. Xu Jizhu—National First-Class Actor, inheritor of Huangmei Opera (a national intangible cultural heritage), and performer with the Hubei Huangmei Opera Art Theater—gave an engaging introductory lecture explaining the history and artistic features of Huangmei Opera, helping the audience quickly grasp its cultural essence.
The opera makeup and costume experience brought the atmosphere to an early climax. With the assistance of two makeup artists from the Huangmei Opera Art Theater, Ms. Claudia Christiansen—musician and composer, and spouse of ICARE French Professor Michel Cassir—was transformed into the classic character “The Female Emperor’s Son-in-Law.” Amazed by the transformation, she remarked: “After an hour of makeup, I look completely different—like a Chinese opera actress. Art, especially opera, lets us experience another side of life. It touches our deepest emotions and offers a complete artistic feast.”
Throughout the transformation, the artists explained the cultural symbolism behind makeup, costumes, headdresses, and patterns—allowing participants not only to “enjoy the spectacle,” but also to “understand the meaning.” Excitement filled the room as participants captured the moment with continuous photos.
The highlight of the event was a classic aria teaching session led by Mr. Xu. Using an excerpt from Tianxian Pei, he gave step-by-step instruction on breath control, vocalization, articulation, and stage movement. Teachers and students, regardless of cultural background, enthusiastically joined in—the melodious rhythm of Huangmei Opera dissolving linguistic barriers and creating an atmosphere of shared joy.
Professor Alain Thorel, ICARE French professor, commented:
“A fascinating opera, a fascinating evening. The performance—with intonations and strength unfamiliar to Western ears—was astounding. I have always admired the delicacy and expressive hand movements of Chinese dancers. These artistic convergences remind us that, despite cultural differences, we share the same humanity and the same responsibility to protect our planet while honoring our beautiful traditions, such as Huangmei Opera.”
This cultural salon formed an important part of the “Yuyuan Opera Festival” and exemplified HUST’s commitment to aesthetic education and international cultural exchange. By bringing traditional opera into a modern research building and adopting an interactive, immersive approach, the event effectively communicated the richness of Chinese cultural heritage and added a vibrant traditional touch to campus life.
