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Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong, 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. Sichuan opera is a vibrant, centuries-old tradition that showcases the joys and challenges of daily life in rural China with tales of love, tradition, and family honor. As the traditional audience grows older, the opera as a form of art and recreation is struggling to endure as newer spectators within younger generations are leaving the countryside for China's cities to seek employment. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong, 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. Sichuan opera is a vibrant, centuries-old tradition that showcases the joys and challenges of daily life in rural China with tales of love, tradition, and family honor. As the traditional audience grows older, the opera as a form of art and recreation is struggling to endure as newer spectators within younger generations are leaving the countryside for China's cities to seek employment. The tradition suffered a setback 50 years ago during the Cultural Revolution, the period of persecution and upheaval set into motion in May 1966 by Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong to reassert his ideological authority. The operas were banned and most of the troupes were disbanded, but were revived in the late 1970s. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Lin Lijuan, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Lin Lijuan, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera actor Lin Lijuan, left, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera actor Lin Lijuan, left, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Wu Dezhi, 51 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs a prayer ritual in front of statues of the Buddha before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Dezhi, 51 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company performs a prayer ritual in front of statues of the Buddha before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong, 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares backstage before performing for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong, 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares backstage before performing for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Fake beards used by Sichuan Opera performers from the Jinyuan Opera Company are seen backstage during a performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Fake beards used by Sichuan Opera performers from the Jinyuan Opera Company are seen backstage during a performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera actors Lin Lijuan, left, 69 years, and husband Wang Zhiwen, 69, of the Jinyuan Opera Company perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera actors Lin Lijuan, left, 69 years, and husband Wang Zhiwen, 69, of the Jinyuan Opera Company perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Yi Lezhing, 65 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company puts on make -up before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Yi Lezhing, 65 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company puts on make -up before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performers of the Jinyuan Opera Company perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performers of the Jinyuan Opera Company perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 3, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Ling Qunying, 54 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company gets ready as Yi Lezhong smokes a cigarette before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Ling Qunying, 54 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company gets ready as Yi Lezhong smokes a cigarette before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong (R), 26 years, and Li Qunying (L), 54 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company take a rest backstage during a performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong (R), 26 years, and Li Qunying (L), 54 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company take a rest backstage during a performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Wu Dezhi, 51 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares during the group's performance at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Dezhi, 51 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company prepares during the group's performance at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Lin Lijuan, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company displays old pictures of herself in costume before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Lin Lijuan, 69 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company displays old pictures of herself in costume before the group's performance for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Members of the Jinyuan Opera Company have lunch during a break in the performance at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Members of the Jinyuan Opera Company have lunch during a break in the performance at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Local villagers watch a Sichuan Opera performed by the Jinyuan Opera Company at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Local villagers watch a Sichuan Opera performed by the Jinyuan Opera Company at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)



Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong (L), 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company waits backstage as others perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Sichuan Opera performer Wu Yonghong (L), 26 years, of the Jinyuan Opera Company waits backstage as others perform for villagers at the Dongyue Temple on May 2, 2016 in Cangshan, Sichuan province, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
07 May 2016 13:14:00