Yin Jifang (C), former artistic director of the Kunqu Society of New York and a close friend of Yin Guifang, and other friends and local Yue Opera fans pose for a photo at a retrospective photo exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the passing of Chinese Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang, in New York, the United States, on March 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Black-and-white photos of the Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang line the walls, capturing her grace and passion on stage, as elderly local visitors, speaking in familiar dialects, reminisce about her brilliance and lasting legacy.

The retrospective photo exhibition, being held in New York City from Sunday to April 10, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the passing of Chinese Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang.

Nearly 100 attendees gathered for the event in Flushing, Queens borough of New York City, curated by the American Chinese Art & Culture Center (ACACC) and the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe, which was originally established by Yin Guifang in Shanghai in 1946 and relocated to Fujian in 1959.

The photo exhibition honors Yin's artistic accomplishments and her lasting impact on Yue Opera both domestically and internationally.

Yue Opera, one of China's most popular traditional opera genres originated in Zhejiang Province, is renowned for its soft singing style, graceful performances and rich repertoire. Also known as Shaoxing Opera, after its place of origin, it was officially recognized in 2006 as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage.

Among the most revered figures in this art form is Yin Guifang, the founder of the "Yin-style" school of Yue Opera. Yin's influence remains strong, carried on by her disciples, admirers and fans.

March 1 marks the anniversary of Yin Guifang's passing, a day especially significant for Yin Jifang, her close friend of over 60 years. Though not from the Yue Opera genre herself, Yin Jifang, former artistic director of the Kunqu Society of New York, another traditional opera form, shared a deep and enduring friendship with Yin Guifang, from artistic discussions to mentoring future generations.

Despite their coincidentally similar names, Yin Jifang saw their connection as fate. Now 86, she continues to honor their decades-long bond -- this time, through the exhibition.

Yin Jifang said Guifang's masterful performances and meticulously crafted characters continue to leave an indelible mark on audiences.

"When I had this idea of the exhibition, I acted on it immediately," Yin Jifang said. "The overwhelming support from both New York and Fujian was deeply moving."

She worked closely with the ACACC in New York to organize the exhibition, while securing strong backing from the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe, which provided most of the annotated photographs.

Despite working across time zones, a dedicated six-person team managed to put the exhibition together in just 12 consecutive days.

The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of photographs -- some from Yin Jifang's personal collection, others from the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe and even treasured clippings preserved by Yue Opera fans over the years, and more cropped from posters or newspapers. These images capture Yin Guifang's life on and off stage, highlighting her mentorship of young performers and her commitment to preserving Yue Opera.

"There is no global recognition without cultural identity," Yin Jifang told Xinhua. Though Yue Opera and Kunqu Opera are niche art forms, their survival depends on the dedication and stewardship of the Chinese people.

Wang Junan, current artistic director of the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe and direct disciple of Yin Guifang, reflected on her lasting impact.

"Her artistic spirit has never faded, and our lifelong bond remains strong," Wang said. She added that her master Yin Guifang once dreamed of bringing Yue Opera to New York. Now, this exhibition stands as a bridge to fulfill that vision.

"Thanks to everyone's dedication, this exhibition is more than a remembrance -- it is a collective tribute," Wang said. "Art is an endless river, flowing through generations. We are the current that carries it forward, bringing Yin-style Yue Opera to the world."

"Yin Guifang nurtured generations of Yue Opera artists and revitalized traditional Chinese opera. This exhibition is an artistic dialogue that transcends borders," said Zheng Quan, president of the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe. "Through art as a bridge, we can carry Master Yin's spirit onto the global stage."

"Yue Opera is a regional art form, a niche genre. If we don't preserve it, it will eventually disappear," said Shang Jiemin, event organizer and president of the ACACC. He added that commemorative events like this not only celebrate Yue Opera's presence and influence but also ensure that its legacy continues for future generations.

"When we founded this organization, it was driven by passion. Our cultural roots are in tradition," said another organizer, Zhang Huizhu.

"Our organization has been at the forefront of promoting Chinese culture overseas. We hosted numerous events -- from traditional Yue Opera performances to folk music concerts, engaging local audiences in Flushing, Queens, while expanding outreach to Manhattan," she said.

She added that for many overseas Chinese, Yue Opera is more than just an art form -- it's a connection to their home country.

"I never met Yin Guifang," she said, "but growing up, my mother played Yue Opera at home. In Shanghai's alleyways, on the streets -- if you had a radio, you could hear it."

"These traditional melodies offer a sense of comfort and belong to the Chinese people living abroad," Zhang said.