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Contestant Han Mengsha. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A special season of the hit reality talent show Voice of China that spotlights on Yueju Opera, a national intangible cultural heritage, will air on Zhejiang TV.

The opera originated in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province and later became popular in Shanghai. Collaborating with the province's department of culture and tourism, Zhejiang TV aims to use the influence of Voice of China, which has garnered an enormous audience group in home and abroad since its debut 10 years ago, to creatively promote traditional art forms among young generations of audience.

The special season has kept the format of Voice of China, inviting four veteran performers as team leaders to select their team members from the pool of contestants.

Contestant Li Yunxiao. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The team leaders have to sit with their back to the stage where the contestants would perform one after another. If someone's singing wins their hearts, they can push a button to turn around the chairs to see the face of the performer. This time, Yueju Opera performers Mao Weitao and Fang Yafen, actress Tao Huimin and singer Zheng Yunlong have been invited to be the team leaders.

Young Yueju Opera performers are encouraged to interpret the traditional art innovatively. For instance, they would use guitar to accompany classic arias in the opera or integrate modern singing style into their performance.

Yueju Opera performers Mao Weitao and Fang Yafen, actress Tao Huimin and singer Zheng Yunlong have been invited to be the team leaders. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Contestant Chen Yanping. [Photo provided to China Daily]