What happened to traditional opera performers during the Cultural Revolution?

During the Cultural Revolution (1966–76), traditional Chinese opera was completely banned, and the performing arts sector faced severe ideological purges. Many traditional theatre artists were denounced or imprisoned as part of a broader assault on cultural figures, scholars, and authors deemed to hold "ideologically incorrect" views.12

The government sought to replace traditional works with "model works" (yangbanxi), which were guided by Jiang Qing and featured contemporary soldiers and workers as protagonists. Prominent figures in the arts, such as the playwright Wu Han, were specifically targeted and persecuted for works that were perceived as allegorical criticisms of the leadership. This period resulted in the widespread destruction of cultural treasures and the prohibition of many traditional artistic practices, reflecting a systematic effort to eliminate perceived feudal or superstitious influences in favor of revolutionary values.1324