Residents and visitors to Meizhou can enjoy the rich tradition of Guangdong Han Opera for free every Friday evening at 7:30 PM, thanks to the long-running cultural program "Friday Opera Night" hosted by the Guangdong Han Opera Inheritance and Research Institute, located at No. 4 Xuehai Road, Dongshan Education Base, Meijiang District, Meizhou City, in Guangdong province, South China.
As a national-level cultural heritage protection base, the Institute plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Guangdong Han Opera through performances, research, and talent development. The Peony Theater within the Institute becomes a cultural hub each Friday, attracting opera enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike to enjoy high-quality performances at no cost.
Since its launch in 2013, "Friday Opera Night" has evolved into a beloved cultural brand often referred to as Meizhou's Broadway. It serves as both a public cultural service and a training platform for emerging young performers, fostering a deeper appreciation of traditional opera among audiences.
Over the years, the program has attracted visiting groups from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China's Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan province, and has also been invited to perform abroad, promoting international exchange in traditional Chinese opera.
Guangdong Han Opera (广东汉剧), formerly known as Waijiang Opera (外江戏), is one of the three main operas in Guangdong province. The opera is also popular in western Fujian province, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan province. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
Event Details
Performance Time: Every Friday at 7:30 PM
Venue: Peony Theater, Guangdong Han Opera Inheritance and Research Institute (广东汉剧传承研究院“牡丹剧场”)
Admission: Free (as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Public Benefit Program)
Join us and experience the beauty of Guangdong Han Opera — a tradition kept alive on stage, week after week.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Photo | Guangdong Han Opera Inheritance and Research Institute
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
