Much like the role the violin plays in a western symphony orchestra, the Jinghu, a two－stringed bowed instrument with a very high pitch, is a fundamental instrument in a Peking Opera orchestra. The Peking Opera equivalent of the world's most difficult instrument is not a halfpenny easier to command than the violin. On the night of Feb.28, the 15th anniversary of the musical career of Jinghu performer Yan Shouping was celebrated at the Chang'an Grand Theatre. Ma Shuo was there to witness his extraordinary mastery of the difficult instrument.
