Retired Chinese Opera Singer Invites Americans Into His Home for Lunch

 Photo & story by:  Debbie Stock

My grand tour of China (or a mere fraction of this vast country) included visits to temples, pagodas, The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and fabulous, staged shows at night. But it didn't include a night at the opera—though a live performance was provided courtesy of a retired, professional opera singer who invited us into his humble abode in Beijing.

The award-winning gent shared his trophies and awards, memories, a meal provided by his son who's a professional chef, and a small sampling of his work, singing for us in a high voice. Throughout his career as a "dan" he performed women's roles. The music was quite unusual, to say the least, and not at all like the Italian opera music we're accustomed to hearing.

On the cluttered walls of the tight room fitted with card tables to accommodate our group of approx. 25 people, a faded, framed wedding photo of him and his beautiful bride stood out as the smiling couple, now decades older, graciously entertained amazed Californians through an interpreter who translated Cantonese into English.

This special experience took place via a Hutong Tour in Beijing's Shichahai area.

Next photo: Liu Yuan (Lingering Garden) Suzhou, China