Huangmeixi Opera Artist Han Zaifen

The eastern province of Anhui is famous for two "Huangs": the tangible heritage Huang-shan Mountain and the intangible legacy Huang-mei opera. Compared to the 600-hundred-year-old Kunqu Opera, Huangmei is just a young girl. Its fresh, natural style has made it the pop and country music in China's traditional opera. To keep the genre alive, Han Zaifen has persisted for decades to keep it current. On today's THE LIST, we'll take a look at the on and off stage story of Huangmei opera star Han Zaifen.

Han Zaifen is a reformer of China's traditional opera. She believes no reform, no future.

Han Zaifen said, "They call me Big Bold Han. They say I'm always the first to try something new. But the changes I make are for a reason. It's not just for the sake of change or to be different."

Han Zaifen loves crossing boundaries. She plays on TV, in films, and on stage, and serves as a deputy of the National People's Congress. And it's all done for her beloved art.

Han Zaifen said, "No matter who I meet, they will become fans of Huangmei Opera."

She performs, reflects and manages. For years, Han Zaifen has pursued what's best for Huangmei Opera.

"You have to learn to be a friend of loneliness. If you like Huangmei Opera, you have to devote yourself with your love. "

Though Han's mother is also a Huangmei Opera singer, she didn't want her daughter to follow her into the profession. Han Zaifen's career began as an act of teenage rebellion. When she accompanied her friend for an audition, it was Han who tried out-and was picked.

Han Zaifen said, "In the era when my mom sung Huangmei Opera, parents didn't want their children to sing opera, because it was a hard, low-class job. But children are always curious to do the forbidden. When I entered the world of Huangmei Opera, my generation was very lucky. We grew up along with China's reform and opening up. We have benefited a lot from it. We are very lucky."