Classical Chinese opera has existed over 250 years, equivalent more or less to the beginning of Italian opera, but because of the sheer number of Chinese worldwide, naturally commands a much larger audience. 

    It was not known in Taiwan during Japanese colonial rule, and in fact banned in China during Mao’s Cultural Revolution.  When the ROC government moved its seat to Taiwan, different branches of the armed forces brought their own Chinese opera troupes to provide entertainment for their personnel.

     In 1995, these groups (the Army’s LuGuang, the Air Force’s DaPeng, the Navy’s HaiGuang, and later the Marine Corps’ FeiMa Henanese opera troupes) were merged into one, turned over to the Ministry of Education, under the umbrella of “National GuoGuang Opera Company”.

Preserving Traditional Classics – while Modernizing Contents

     Chinese opera is a mixture of high-pitched singing, acting, clowning, acrobatics and kungfu, with many unique conventions such as face-painting, minimalist stage setting, and elaborate costumes giving no regard to different dynasties in China’s history.  It relies upon the audience’s own imagination and understanding to fill the gaps. 

    Frequently, an evening’s program would consist of excerpts from different operas with no relation to each other.  Since GuaGuang’s inception, the Company has attempted to combine traditional opera with modern theatrical concepts, to cultivate young audiences while satisfying older connoisseurs.    

     Innovation and Change – New Aesthetics with Local Content

     While preserving traditional forms and conventions, GuoGuang spares no effort in experimenting with new techniques and staging new operas.  Over the years, these new creations have won numerous awards, including “The Annals of Great Generals”, “Journey through Hell”, and “Three Persons and Two Lamps”, which received the Golden Bell Award for TV production. 

    Among its repertoire, some favorites such as “Wang  Shi-fong”, “The Golden Cangue”, “Journey through Hell”, and “Whispers at the Tombstone” were chosen year after year among the “Ten Best Stage Shows” category of the TaiXin Award in Performing Arts.  “Three Persons and Two Lamps” also won the Jury’s Special Prize in the Award’s 4^th annual competition.

     Reaching Out to a Wider Audience - Making Them Lifelong Enthusiasts

     GuoGuang aims to reach all persons from 7 to 70 years of age, regardless of what dialect they speak or where they live.  It does not perform only at Taipei’s National Theater with its comfortable seats and good acoustics, but makes educational tours to remote corners of the island, putting on shows in country schools and assorted temples, using makeshift stages.

     Old folks’ homes as well as children’s festivals were also visited, where troupe members teach “Chinese opera exercises” and “Opera dances” to cultivate interest among the uninitiated and sometimes illiterate viewers. 

     Arts Education -- Stimulating Students’ Imagination

     In cooperation with the Government’s call to promote general arts education, GuoGuang throws itself into all areas of generating enthusiasm among the country’s young to appreciate every kind of fine and performing arts. 

     It conducts Chinese opera workshops for teachers, summer camps for students, artists at campus, as well as “performing arts train” program (“either you come to see a show, or we’ll bring the show to you”).  It has also issued a DVD series entitled “Surprises in the Peking Opera”.

     International Exchange

     Putting Taiwan on the World Stage    

     Aiming to spread appreciation of traditional Chinese opera among foreign audiences, GuoGuang undertook many tours to the United States, Canada, Britain, Russia, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Singapore, and even mainland China, earning good reviews and international acclaim.

1996 U.S.A. and Canada Tour--Ohio、Vancouver、Toronto

1997 Germany Tour--Hamburg、Berlin

1997 Second International Art Festival,Rose-on-Wye, U.K.

1998 Avignon Arts Festival,France（Le Festival d’Avignon）

1998 Hong Kong and China Tour

2000 China Tour--Beijing

2000 Bologna Festival,Italy（Suoni Dal Mondo 2000）

2001 Prague International Spring Music Festival,Czech Republic

2001 Brazil Tour--Sao Paulo

2001 China Tour--Henan Province

2002 Chekove International Theater Festival,Moscow,Russia Federation

2004 Shanghai International Arts Festival, China

2004 Chinese Cultural Festival, Singapore

2005 Netherlands Tour--Amsterdam

2005 Closing Ceremony of International World Games Association-- Duisburg, Germany

2006 Switzerland and Italy Tour--Geneva、Catania、Palermo、Pisa

2007 Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, Singapore