Inside an opulent Qing dynasty granary, a teenager masked in white tilts her face and belts out ancient Chinese prose in ear-splitting tones. As the heroine in this new version of The Peony Pavilion, 19-year-old Hu Zhexing is bringing one of China's most sophisticated operas to another generation.

Hu Zhexing, 19, the opera's heroine, is bringing this ancient art to a new generation.

Zeng Jie, 24, plays the hero in this rare display of the revered art of Kungqu Opera. Donning elegant robes and headgear, their faces powdered to beyond pale, these two young actors take to the stage at Beijing's 600-year-old Imperial Granary in Nanxingcang.

The refined effect is remote from the western popular culture idols that typically appeal to younger Chinese. But it is hoped this updated version of a classic love story, performed by youthful stars, will help protect an oral tradition that is more than 500 years old, and in 2001 was declared a, "masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity" by the UN.

The Peony Pavilion, written by Tang Xianzu, in the 16th century, is one of the most shining examples of Kunqu Opera. Also known as "watermill song" for its soft arias and the graceful movement of its performers, Kunqu has been an elite opera since its creation in the 16th century in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. In its golden age through to the 18th century, Kunqu Opera was performed most nights in its East China birthplace.

The new take on The Peony Pavilion is directed by the renowned Kunqu Opera artist Wang Shiyu.

It is a traditional rendition, but tailored for the modern audience, comprising just 12 scenes and focusing on the play's love story. Zeng, the young man cast as lead character, Liu Mengmei, has studied under Wang for almost ten years.

Zeng, of Zhejiang Province, remembers nothing from childhood except rigorous practice.

"When I was 16, I entered the Zhejiang Academy of Arts to study Kunqu Opera. The word 'hardship' can summarize my four-year study there," Zeng said.

"Each of us took training everyday, from voicing to somersaulting. Teachers are strict. If our postures or moves weren't up to the standard, we would be punished."

Zeng said discipline was essential if a student was to grasp the standards that applied for each distinct move of Kunqu performance.

"For example, to somersault from 3m-high platforms wearing Kunqu performing boots that are more than 2 inches high requires perfect coordination and flexibility," Zeng said. "If you are not serious about applying what you are taught, you might break arms or legs."

"I used to be an introverted child and always intended to keep my distance with others," he said. "Kunqu Opera study changed me. I became optimistic and open. I want to have it as my lifelong career."

Zeng believes the beautiful love depicted in Peony Pavilion will resonate with young people.

Hu, who plays heroine Du Liniang, agrees. "I think young people will find this play easy to understand. It is such a romantic story," she said.

The Jiangsu-born actress is yet to graduate from art school, and admits to feeling pressure playing besides the more experienced Zeng.

"He has more stage experience than me. I'm afraid I could not match him. I may appear immature," said a somewhat modest Hu. Hu said she was a stranger to Kunqu until her father sent her to opera classes when she was 16 years old. Just three years later, Hu is honored to take a role in one of the most classic works of its genre.

Performing the beautiful opera, with sophisticated staging in an ancient, royal venue, Hu said it is easy to imagine herself as the heroine, searching for undying and passionate love.

"I especially felt so in one scene when numerous rose petals fall on us from the ceiling, which truly gives me that illusion."

The Peony Pavilion has been given the makeover treatment before. American theater director Peter Sellars used TV monitors on stage and portrayed the lead characters as American teenagers in his avant-garde version, which debuted in Vienna in 1998. Chinese-American director Chen Shizheng produced a complete, 55-act, 20-hour version in New York in 1999.

The Peony Pavilion is the story of Du Liniang, a daughter of an ancient Chinese official who comes back from the dead to unite with her love, scholar Liu Mengmei. Set in 1598, Du's strident determination to be with her true love came in an age when arranged marriage was common.

"Featuring the ancient architecture, it targets a special audience," said Lin Zhaohua, director of the performance. In ancient times, Kunqu Opera troupes were usually raised and financially supported by a wealthy family who provided their hall for the performance.

"Therefore, I think the idea of performing such an ancient art in ancient architecture is quite appropriate," Lin said.

The play's lyrics will be displayed on electronic boards in both Chinese and English.

Time: 7:30pm every Friday and Saturday
Address:At the Imperial Granary, 22 Dongsishitiao.
Tel: 010-6409-6477, 6409-6499. 1360-125-9568 (in English). 580-1,980 yuan.