Li Baochun plays Wu Zhaoqian in the show, which he also directs. Photo provided to China Daily

Sichuan Opera discovers the world's a stage

Disabled prodigy who's music to ears

Born in Beijing, Li studied Peking Opera with his grandfather, Li Guichun (1885-1962), who performed at the Qing Dynasty court, and his father. Young Li studied playing the laosheng role (the older, male roles) of Peking Opera at Beijing Theater Arts School from the age of 10.

After graduation in 1969, he worked at China Peking Opera Theater, now China National Peking Opera Company, before emigrating to the United States with his family in the late 1980s.

"There were several times that I wanted to work in other fields. I had thought about leaving Peking Opera when I was on the farm. I had opened an ice-cream shop in the US to afford a living. But my father always reminded me of who I am and what I am good at. I think Peking Opera is in my DNA," Li says.

Li has invented the idea of "new old plays", in which new means new elements and techniques, and old refers to the essence of the tradition.

He applies that technique to his other creations, such as Yun Luo Mountain, a revised version of a classic Peking Opera work, which Li's father performed, and The Jester, a Peking Opera version of Giuseppe Verdi's classical opera Rigoletto.

He has also combined symphony orchestras, contemporary dance and even rhythm and blues with Peking Opera performances.

Every year, Li flies to the US to watch Broadway shows to get new knowledge and inspiration. As he says, absorbing new things keeps Peking Opera fresh.

"Like Chanel, I want to build up our theater as a brand," he adds.