Saving Chinese opera - 12 august 2008

The opera is a Chinese art form that almost did not survive the country's cultural revolution.

But it has survived for more than 150 years through the Beijing Opera which has integrated music, dance, literature and martial arts into a unique form of expression.

For its performers, the Olympics brings a chance to share their passion with a worldwide audience.

Hu Wenge, an opera artist, shares his one in a billion story with Al Jazeera.