Renowned Chinese opera encyclopedia gets refresh

The third edition of Encyclopedia of China — Traditional Chinese Operas has been published by the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House. A seminar was held at the Chinese National Academy of Arts on July 4 to celebrate the latest release.

The first edition of the book was published in 1983, with an editing team led by Chinese experts of traditional Chinese operas, including dramatist Zhang Geng (1911-2003). The second edition was published in 1992.

In 2015, the third edition of the book was commissioned and Wang Wenzhang, head of Chinese National Academy of Arts, was installed as the book's editor-in-chief.

The compilation was finished in 2020, with the input of more than 200 experts on 4,079 entries. The latest edition also features multimedia materials, allowing readers to better understand traditional Chinese operas.

Five new branch subjects were added, including performing arts venues of traditional Chinese operas and cultural relics of the art form.

Encyclopedia of China Publishing House was established in 1978 and has become a major publisher, notable for publishing encyclopedias and other reference books, as well as academic works and popular nonfiction works.