The gradual decline of traditional Chinese opera is due to a number of factors.
- The stories of traditional Chinese opera have not kept pace with the times. Most of the plays in Chinese opera depict stories related to the nobility of the imperial palace during the ancient feudal period and are far removed from the lives of ordinary people. At the same time, it expresses values that are not in line with modern thinking. For example, polygamy.
- The tempo of Chinese opera music is too slow. In this era of gradually accelerating pace of life, people are more prone to restlessness. The slow rhythms and cadences of traditional Chinese opera hardly resonate with audiences.
- The demise of some dialects has also led to the decline of traditional Chinese opera. There are many dialect-based genres in Chinese opera, but nowadays, due to the popularity of Mandarin, many young people no longer understand the dialect, which is a major reason why Chinese opera has lost its young audience.
- The development of modern media has enriched people’s lives and diverted audiences from Chinese opera. The popularity of film, television and the Internet has made it possible to provide more ways of entertainment. But it is worth reflecting on why operas and musicals continue to be sold out in Western countries where the media is more developed, especially in theatres on Broadway in New York and in London’s West End.
- Traditional Chinese opera is visually incompatible with the aesthetics of young people. The make-up and costumes in Chinese opera, as well as the stage sets, often give young people an outdated and scary visual impression, which discourages many young people.