Peking Opera treat

Students of Zhang Huoding perform at the the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts in Beijing. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

In 2016, the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts launched a project which enabled Zhang to mentor young female Peking Opera students.

So far, about 10 young female Peking Opera actresses have worked with Zhang.

One of Zhang's students, Li Li, who will perform the role Princess Tiejing from the classic Peking Opera Yang Silang Visits His Mother in the show, says of Zhang: "Although she rarely appears in public, she is like a pop star and many of her fans are young people like us."

The 29-year-old Li started her Peking Opera training in her hometown of Tianjin at the age of 7, before moving on to graduate with a master's degree from the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts.

For Li, who now works with the Beijing Peking Opera Theater, the years before she studied under Zhang were a struggle, and she even considered quitting her job as a jingju actress.

Then, in 2014, Li watched a performance by Zhang at Beijing's Chang'an Grand Theater. The long standing ovation and enthusiastic response Zhang received from her fans restored Li's faith in the art.

Explaining how Zhang influenced her, Li says: "I used to be restless but now I am very calm. What touches me is not only her solid technique onstage, but also her attitude toward this old art."

The upcoming show is part of the 18th Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, one of the capital's biggest cultural events.

Separately, on June 16 and 17, more of Zhang's students will perform shows at the Chang'an Grand Theater.