In his 73 years of life, Lu Shizhong cultivated land, managed a knitted sweater factory, handled the accounts for a chicken farm, and repaired bicycles.

But he loved singing Peking Opera the most.

Four years ago, Lu, a farmer in Fengtai District's Xiaojing Village, went with a fellow villager to the office of Yang Yanshan, head of the village.

"There were not so many of them then," recalled Yang. "I was dubious about how long they will last. So in the end I lent them 2,000 yuan (US$230) from my own account."

With the money, Lu bought some musical instruments, bandied a few more villagers together, and started what is now the Long Yun Peking Opera Fans' Club.

At first there were only 10 people. Today there are nearly 40, including some from other districts in Beijing, and an 11-piece band, capable of accompanying both wenxi opera, Peking opera that focuses on singing and acting, and wuxi opera, predominantly acrobatic fighting.

Today, the club can perform 10 operas, to such a level that many club's members have been invited to perform at professional theatres. The club took third place in a competition of Peking Opera fans last year, among more than 50 troupes.

"I've liked singing Peking Opera since I was a teenager," Lu revealed. "I used to sing with several friends in the village. They are now more than 80 years old."

Lu went to an old-fashioned private school that concentrated on teaching reading, writing and ancient Chinese classics.

Although he was so enthusiastic about it, and could sing for two hours continually, he did not receive any formal training until 1958.

"Professional performers from the China Traditional Opera School and Central Song and Dance Ensemble were sent to stay in our village for a year," Lu said.

Politics prohibited the professional performers from playing operas, their strict purpose being to "study." Lu and his friends, however, formed a village troupe and took the opportunity to learn the music scores and singing from the performers.

The troupe lasted only half a year before it separated. Then, in 1968, Lu became a member of a publicity team, established to publicize the thoughts of Mao Zedong.

"What we performed included singing 'an old couple studying Selected Works of Mao Zedong,' lion dance, Peking Opera and some folk songs," Lu explained.

He quit singing after the team was dismissed in 1970.

His three daughters have upheld the family tradition and later learned to sing Peking Opera. Two of his daughters actually became members of the Long Yun Peking Opera Fans' Club after they retired from work.

The oldest member of the club, Lu is considered a good leader.

"The members hold together well. Everybody is happy," observed Wang Zongwei, a retired professional Peking Opera actor hired to advise on costumes for the club.

Wang explained that such a club could have arguments and even fights about the importance of roles, and the length of practice. Some clubs fall apart just because of that.

"Here everybody is supportive," Wang said. "Whether your singing is great or not, people will shout 'excellent!' "

Lu performed serious female roles when he was in his 20s. He sung old man's role in his 40s. Now that he is old, he likes to play the role of a clown.

He used to learn operas from other people's gramophones in his younger days. Today, he learns new operas from TV.

Today's youth might not like Peking Opera so much, but Lu thinks there are ways to hand the art down.

"As a national treasure, Peking Opera should be taught at school," he suggested. "Edification is very important."