Keeping the nandan flame alive

In 2004, Hu joined the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing. In 2013, Mei Baojiu officially recognized Hu as a third-generation heir to the Mei Lanfang nandan style, passing on a treasured fan that had been Mei Lanfang's personal symbol for decades.

That same year, Hu performed on the global stage in a special tour celebrating the 120th anniversary of Mei Lanfang's birth. In 2014, Hu led a production of Sword of the Cosmos at Lincoln Center in New York, reviving Mei Lanfang's historic tour to the United States in 1930.

Despite Hu's achievements, he remains deeply concerned about the future of nandan performance. As fewer young actors choose to train in the art, and Peking Opera schools stop recruiting male students for the role, Hu has taken on the responsibility of mentoring the next generation.

He also fears that in today's digital age, where performances are often reduced to superficial displays on social media, the true depth of Peking Opera — especially the subtlety of nandan — may be lost.

"Today's audience, increasingly drawn to the external, often overlooks the deeper emotional core of a performance," he says. "Young audiences may cheer for exaggerated performances, but the essence of Peking Opera, which lies in its subtlety, seems to be fading."

For Hu, the pressure to preserve this tradition is immense, but it is also what drives him. "I carry more responsibility than most," he says. "But recognition from the Peking Opera community gives me the strength to continue. When I step on stage, it is not just about me; it is about continuing the legacy of a tradition."

Hu's journey as a nandan artist is a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving Mei Lanfang's legacy. For him, Peking Opera is not merely an art form — it is a living, breathing entity, passed down through generations, constantly evolving, but always remaining true to its core.

"In the end," Hu says, "it's about staying true to the essence of the character, the soul of the story. That is what I must always carry with me."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn