One of the group’s founding members, seventy-five-year-old Jiedong Huang, has been involved for 18 years. Huang plays the Yueqin, a traditional Chinese instrument. He arrives early to every rehearsal to check the instruments. “We started the group to sing the songs from home and ease our homesickness,” he said.

Another dedicated member is Penny Wu, 60, who worked in language and business and joined the group after her retirement. She had to learn Peking Opera from scratch.

“It was hard at first because everyone else was so experienced,” Penny said. Through the guidance of veteran members, Penny gradually learned vocalisation, movement, and singing techniques. Her hard work paid off, and she transitioned from a complete beginner to a confident performer on stage.

The Harmony Peking Opera Group has its origins in the China Peking Opera Group, which was started in 1985 by Taiwanese immigrants who loved Peking Opera. The first president of the group was a retired Taiwanese Air Force commander. When he passed away, Xinmin Wu, then the secretary, became the new president in 2008.

At that time, Wu decided to move the rehearsal location from southeast Melbourne to North Melbourne to bring members closer together. To reflect the changes, Wu renamed the group Harmony Peking Opera Group.

“The name change shows our goal of working together and appreciating the beauty of Peking Opera,” Wu said.

One of the group’s key milestones was its first big performance at Melbourne Town Hall. More than a thousand people attended, including both Chinese and Australian locals, which gave the group more visibility in the community.

“For many Australians, Peking Opera was a new art form,” Wu said.

This year, the group held a small Mid-Autumn Festival event in a church in Footscray. Large performances require official permission, so the group chose a smaller venue to keep it simple. Even in a modest setting, the members prepared carefully to bring out the beauty of Peking Opera.

Eighty-seven-year-old Ruixiong Li is a seasoned artist specialising in the “laosheng” (elderly male) role. He trained under renowned Peking Opera artists and refined his skills over decades of performances. Though his age now prevents him from wearing full costumes, he still strikes the gongs and drums before each show.

“For me, every time I sing an opera, it is like meeting an old friend,” he said.

The Harmony Peking Opera Group’s repertoire includes not only traditional Peking Opera but also model and modern operas.

There are differing opinions within the group about these choices. Wu noted that mainland Chinese immigrants tend to favour model operas, while immigrants from Taiwan and Hong Kong are less inclined to participate.

“The more impassioned melodies of the model operas are not necessarily chosen for political reasons, but because the tunes evoke emotional resonance,” Wu said.

For the members of the Harmony Peking Opera Group, the main function of the group is to “entertain themselves,” rather than actively promote the art.

“The purpose is self-entertainment; don’t elevate it too high,” Wu said.

He emphasised that the charm of Peking Opera lies not only in the art itself but also in the sense of fulfilment it brings. Many members joined out of love for Peking Opera and found satisfaction in learning and performing.

Despite facing cultural and language challenges in Australia, the group remains committed to bringing this traditional art to more people.

“We do this mainly for our own pleasure,” Wu said. “After we sing, we feel happy.”

For these elderly members, Peking Opera is not just a performance; it is a way of life and a connection to their roots. By continuing to rehearse and perform, the Harmony Peking Opera Group keeps their traditions alive while building connections in their new home.