Bi Chunfang

In this Chinese name, the family name is Bi.
Bi Chunfang
Born (1927-07-14) July 14, 1927
Shanghai, China
Died14 August 2016(2016-08-14) (aged 89)
Occupation(s)Yue Opera performer
founder of Bi genre

Bi Chunfang (Chinese: 毕春芳; 14 July 1927 - 14 August 2016[1]) was a Chinese Yue opera[2] performer, known as the founder of the "Bi style" of Yue opera. Bi joined the Xuesheng troupe led by Yuan Xuefen in 1948, later joining the Dongshan troupe. A film was made about Bi's life in 1986.

Biography

Born in Shanghai[3] of Ningbo ancestry,[4] Bi studied performing arts in Shanghai and after graduating in 1943 began her performing with Xu Tianhong and Wang Wenjuan, amongst others. She worked with several performing troupes, including the Tian Hong troupe, organised by Xu Tianhong, in 1946, the Xuesheng Troupe led by Yuan Xuefen in 1948 and the Dongshan Yue Opera troupe led by Fan Ruijuan and Fu Quanxiang in 1949. After joining the Hezuo Troupe in 1951 she partnered with Qi Yaxian.[5]

Bi performed in Hong Kong five times between 1983 and 1989. She also performed in the USA in 1989.

A three-episode art film, based on Bi's story, won several awards in 1986.

Bi was hired as advisor to the Jing An Cultural Troupe after the intangible cultural heritage program was initiated.[6]

Bi style

In Yue opera, female and male characters were traditionally all played by women, although there are several great male players now. Bi's style evolved to become one of the main genres of the young man's role in Yue opera.[7][8]

Roles

Play Character
A Bride for a Ride Wenbin Zhou
The Story of Susan Wang Jinlong
San Xiao Tang Bohu
Legend of the White Snake Xu Xian[9]
Butterfly Lovers Liang Shanbo
The Murder of the Murderers Lin Zhaode

Other performances included:

  • True Feelings Unbounded
  • The Teacher's Diary
  • She in the Rain
  • The Murder of the Murderers
  • The Bloody Handprint

See also

References

  1. ^ "著名越剧表演艺术家毕春芳去世 享年90岁(图)-搜狐新闻".
  2. ^ Yueju Opera: Century-old art Archived 2012-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Haili, Ma (November 2012). "Development of training and performativity in Shanghai YueJu". Theatre, Dance and Performance Training. 3 (3): 334–348. doi:10.1080/19443927.2012.720122. ISSN 1944-3927.
  4. ^ Hu Min (2023-07-16). "Jing'an event commemorates famed Shanghai Yueju master". shine.cn. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  5. ^ "Press releases". info.gov.hk. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  6. ^ Hu Min (2023-07-16). "Jing'an event commemorates famed Shanghai Yueju master". shine.cn. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  7. ^ Liang, Luo (2009).women playing men. Publisher: China Review International.
  8. ^ "The stylistic schools of Yue opera" (PDF). cof.gov.hk. 2012-06-15. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  9. ^ KCL. "Yue Opera The Legend of the White Snake". cof.gov.hk. Retrieved 2025-05-18.


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