Traditional oral training in the transmission of Cantonese Opera

The integration of traditional Chinese opera with contemporary educational practices poses numerous challenges. This study explores oral training and transmission in Cantonese Opera through interviews with five renowned artists based in Guangzhou. It evaluates the effectiveness of both formal and informal education, the specific applications in various performances, and the cultural conflicts that emerge between traditional oral training and modern educational practices in Cantonese Opera. Oral tradition in the teaching and acquisition of intangible cultural heritage has always been necessary to preserve the continuity of the tradition in the past and has been helpful in supporting the diversity of Cantonese Opera nowadays. The actual practice of oral transmission differs from the beginner stage, to the improvement stage, and finally the consolidation stage. The initiative of the apprentice, the master-apprentice relationships, and the guaranteed economic support for mentors are all important influencing factors that impact the transmission of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). A stable economic environment is likely to enhance teachers’ motivation to promote cultural inheritance. The standardization of evaluation, cultural conflicts, and the master-apprentice relationships must be observed and resolved to promote the suitable development of Cantonese Opera education.