Special Report: Spring Festival Special 2009

    BEIJING, Jan. 31 -- The China National Peking Opera Company launched its 2009 Spring Festival series of shows on Monday, the first day of the Lunar new year.

    Staged at the Meilanfang Grand Theater in Beijing, a different classical opera is being performed every day of the holiday by some of the country's best Peking Opera stars.

    Soundbite: Audience member 2 I'm a big fan of Peking Opera. I see it as the essence of our culture. And taking place at the same time as the Spring Festival gives it a special meaning.

    Soundbite: Audience member 1 My child loves Peking Opera. And because it's the holiday, I'm taking her to see one.

    According to Hu Xiaozheng, assistant manager of the theater, attendance was high from the first day.

    Soundbite: The Assistant Manager of Meilanfang Grand Theater, Hu xiaozheng Yesterday's attendance was more than three-quarter capacity. It shows that Peking Opera is still popular during the holiday. People seem to be paying more attention to traditional culture, which I think is great.

    Friday's performance of 'All Desire' was a twisted tale of love between bickering siblings. Tickets are still available for the weekend shows.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.