World heritage on display

Late Peking Opera artist Mei Baojiu, son of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, went on stage after a US performance in 2013.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Many Western audiences know Peking Opera only for its captivating martial arts, elaborate makeup and costumes. But those are just parts of the ancient art," Li says. "We want audiences to get an authentic and comprehensive understanding of Peking Opera so we stage pieces like One Good Turn Deserves Another (at the event)."

He also says Peking Opera pieces are not just visual spectacles but are full of traditional Chinese values such as loyalty, modesty and honesty.

Elaborating on what makes Peking Opera rare, Wu Jiatong, general manager of Wu Promotion, one of the first private touring companies and promoters in China, says: "Peking Opera, unlike other performing arts, is more than just music and singing. It also combines drama, dancing, martial arts and acrobatics, which makes it one of the most multifaceted theatrical forms in the world."

Wu Promotion has been organizing the Peking Opera Festival since 2012.

"We want more people to recognize its beauty," Wu says.

Wu, whose company works on taking Chinese artists to the West and bringing Western performers for shows in China, sees the festival as a way to promote and preserve the exquisite art form.