Traditional Chinese operas face battle for audience

Mao is keen to "urbanize" Yue Opera and make it appeal to the young. About 60 percent of her troupe's performances have been staged in cities.

Industry insiders applaud Mao's innovation and efforts, but suggest they are not enough to make Yue Opera thrive and are not a perfect example for other opera genres to follow.

"Turning university students into fans is not the best way to create lifelong lovers of traditional opera. An adult may recognize the charm of these operas through lectures but they are less likely to be a real part of his life if he wasn't introduced to the art form when he was a child," Peng said.

Peng suggested that students receive more exposure to traditional operas. "To love something as an emotional need is different from the kind of love that's guided by reason," he said, noting that efforts in this direction are easier said than done.

Artists have to be careful in their artistic experimentation, he warned. Many crowd-pleasers have gone "too far" and lost their character.

Yang is aware of all the difficulties ahead, but she was happy when two young Han Opera and Chu Opera artists from her troupe won top prizes at the festival.

"I always tell my troupe members to stick to their passion and be confident," she said. "But I never make a promise. I just can't."