STUDENTS in 10 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions found their grandfathers’ favorite Beijing opera pieces in their music class syllabus as the new semester began yesterday.

“I am expecting my first music class to learn Beijing opera and I expect to wear the fancy facial makeup,” said Zhang Yaoyin, a third-grade student of Beijing No. 2 Experimental Primary School, on her way to the school.

Beijing opera was added to music courses in 20 Beijing primary and secondary schools in order to promote traditional Chinese culture.

“Beijing opera is very vivid and I like the melody best,” Zhang said, wondering whether her school had been chosen as a pilot.

Zhang Suhan, her father, called the move a “must” for preservation and revitalization of Chinese culture.

Beijing opera, known as China’s national opera, is facing the danger of extinction as its slow pace and abstruse lyrics have scared away the younger generation.

The Education Ministry decided this month to start a pilot project in the new semester in 200 schools in the 10 regions.

The project added 15 pieces of Beijing opera, including both classical and modern ones, into music courses for students.

(Xinhua)