Established on November 1, 2005, the Gan Opera Cultural and Art Center of Nanchang University is a university-level, independently structured research institution affiliated with the School of Arts. Comprising eight members—including six senior professionals and two mid-level experts—the center is spearheaded by Chen Li, a renowned artist holding the "Plum Blossom Award" and "Wenhua Performance Award" in Chinese theater, distinguished as a national-level inheritor of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Gan Opera, professor, and doctoral supervisor. Integrating creation, performance, education, research, and preservation, the center has been designated as a Key Research Base for Arts and Culture in Jiangxi Province (Model Unit), a Provincial ICH Inheritance Base, and a Provincial ICH Dissemination Base.
I. Artistic Creation
Maintaining the philosophy of “Upholding Morality and Artistry, Adhering to Tradition while Innovating”, the center crafts premium productions blending traditional opera with music, dance, drama, and other art forms. Notable works include Awaiting You for a Century(Deng Ni Yi Bai Nian), The Orphan of Zhao(Dou E Yuan), May We Live Long(Ru Yuan Si Chang), A Dream of Linchuan(Lin Chuan Si Meng), The Lute Song(Gu Zhai Ji), The Story of Red Scale(Hong Zhu Ji), and A Generation of Magnates: Hu Xueyan. These productions have garnered international acclaim, winning awards such as the Best Actress Award at the 4th Paris Chinese Opera Festival, China Drama Awards for Outstanding Production and Performance, the Campus Drama Award (Golden Award), and the Campus Star Award.
II. Education & Training
Pioneering innovative pedagogy through hybrid online-offline and experiential learning models, the center offers specialized courses like Physical Training for Performers, Research on Chinese Gan Opera, Jiangxi Local Operas, and Studies in Chinese Theatrical Performance. Its flagship elective, Appreciation of Gan Opera(MOOC), launched on platforms including the Central Publicity Department’s Study Strong Country and XuetangX, went viral in March 2024 with a 100% student engagement rate. Viral content on TikTok and other social media platforms surpassed 500 million views, earning extensive coverage from over 200 mainstream media outlets including Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and CCTV.
III. Scientific Research
Prioritizing scholarly research and innovation in Gan Opera, the center has secured over 20 national and provincial research grants. Key publications include Proceedings of the Nanchang University Tang Xianzu Commemorative Conference, New Rhymes of Ganfu(Gan Pu Xin Yun), Anthology of Gan Opera Arias (Kunqu), Elegance Endures(Mei Yun Liu Fang), and Oral Histories of Gan Opera Masters. Notably, it achieved a provincial breakthrough by securing five consecutive National Arts Fund projects from 2015–2019, a first for comprehensive universities in Jiangxi.
IV. Cultural Dissemination
Championing global outreach and heritage preservation, the center has:
Featured Gan Opera at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala (2018) and annual programs like Qixi Gala, Spring Festival Opera Gala, Sealed Box Plays, Three Meals a Season, Youthful Seasons, and the 7th International Tang Xianzu Arts Festival.
Toured in Germany, France, the U.S., Mexico, Indonesia, and beyond, promoting the global dissemination of Gan Opera.
Gained National Arts Fund support for original productions like The Story of Red Scale and conducted 113 performances of the High Art into Campus Initiative at prestigious universities including Tsinghua, Peking, and Zhejiang Universities.
Through these efforts, the center presented the timeless appeal of Gan Opera resonating across generations and borders.
.png)
