Tian Chunniao
Mastery, Signature Works & Repertoire
Male, Han ethnicity, born in March 1937 in Li County, Hebei Province. He holds the professional title of National First-Class Actor. He began studying opera while still at school at the age of eleven, turned to the civil and martial xiaosheng role types in 1953, and in 1959 was transferred to the Hebei Provincial Youth Yuejin Troupe, later renamed the Hebei Provincial Hebei Bangzi Theatre. His singing and declamation are high and rounded, crisp and bright; he blends chest voice and falsetto so skilfully that the transition is imperceptible, and his phrasing flows with great ease. In his singing he fuses the vigorous boldness of the laosheng with the gentle refinement of the dan, paying close attention to breath control, to form a style that balances strength and softness and is fresh and robust. He has staged more than sixty fine works, including Shi Yu Zhuo (The Jade Bracelet), The Butterfly Cup, Chen Sanliang, The Lotus Lantern, Zhou Ren Gives Up His Sister-in-Law, Zhong Kui, Tai Hua Jiao (Carrying the Bridal Sedan) and Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy. After retiring he was re-employed by the Hebei Provincial Hebei Bangzi Theatre, frequently taking part in or directing various productions and training numerous disciples.
Honors & Recognition
National representative bearer of Hebei Bangzi, a third-batch national intangible cultural heritage project.
References & Archival Sources
Representative Items of This Bearer
- Hebei Bangzi Ⅳ-22
- Hebei Bangzi Ⅳ-22
- Hebei Bangzi Ⅳ-22
Profile
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