Hunan Opera Gala blends tradition, tech and Changsha's urban charm

The "2025 Hunan Opera Spring Festival Gala", broadcasted on Hunan TV and Mango TV on the first day of Chinese New Year, embraced the theme "Drama in the World, Reunion in Harmony".

Departing from traditional stage formats, the gala was filmed on location across more than 100 iconic streets and alleys of Changsha, seamlessly blending opera culture with the city's vibrant atmosphere. Featuring nearly 10 opera genres, including Peking Opera, Hunan Opera, Qi Opera, Han Opera, Kunqu Opera, Flower Drum Opera, Baling Opera and Huangmei Opera, the gala infused traditional performances with modern creativity.

Notable acts included "Sun Wukong Battles Erlang Shen" which combined traditional opera masks with street dance and AI technology to create a dynamic visual performance. "When Xiang Kun Meets World-Famous Paintings" used AR, virtual tracking, and AI-generated art to connect Kunqu Opera with world-famous paintings, reviving the beauty of cultural relics and the charm of opera. Additionally, both the modern adaptation of "Liu Hai Cuts Firewood" and the traditional opera "The Peony Pavilion" vividly interpreted the theme of "Drama in the World, Reunion in Harmony", narrating heartwarming stories of Chinese New Year.

Through these innovative approaches, the gala not only preserved the essence of traditional opera but also brought it closer to modern life, attracting a younger audience and showcasing the perfect blend of tradition and modernity.