Modern Figures
Chinese name: Zhang Xiuqing
Nationality: Chinese
Date of death: 1960
Occupation ：Yue Diao performing artist
Zhang Xiuqing’s childhood
She lived with her mother in Wuyang County when she was young. At the age of 7, she became a disciple of Shang Yunting, a famous artist in the Yi Feng Class. When she was 9 Performed on stage at the age of 18. At the age of 11, she played the role of the second sister in "The Second Sister Dreams". She was so cute and well-behaved that the audience called her "little baby". At the age of 15, he was proficient in Xiaodan, Xiaosheng, Xusheng and Qingyi, and his reputation grew day by day. Later, she became a starring role in the Wuyangyue Opera Troupe and performed in various places. She was so popular that the audience called her "Big Baby".
Zhang Xiuqing became famous
After Zhang Xiuqing became famous, the Xinxiu Class was formed in the old society. It seems that he was named because of his mother's surname Xin. The famous Yue Diao performing artist Chen Jinying, whose original name is Chen Dai, changed his name to Xin Jinying after taking Zhang Xiuqing as his teacher in his early years. He is the direct disciple of Zhang Xiuqing. He is the direct disciple of Zhang Xiuqing. He has been active in Xiping County for a long time before and after liberation. Starring, performing in various cities in Henan and Hebei.
Zhang Xiuqing in the early days of liberation
Zhang Xiuqing was at home in the early days of liberation. The Yue Diao Troupe of Kaifeng District invited him to join the troupe. to Zhoukou People's Theater. During the string test, several luthiers did not cooperate well with Zhang Xiuqing. So I didn't want to join the troupe. At that time, Teacher Lu Guoying was sitting and said: I will give it a try. Because Lu had been an actor in the old society and knew how actors should exert their energy, they cooperated tacitly and stayed. Teacher Lu Guoying accompanied Zhang Xiuqing for ten years. By the way: Lu Guoying should be the oldest person in the Yue Dynasty. For example, when the famous veteran artist Zhang Guilan performed Zhangjiawan, he knew it as soon as he heard it and named Wufengshan, Wufengshan, and Zhangjiawan's alias. also. In addition, he once accompanied Niu Deshan (Niu Monk), a famous Yue Diao master in Nanyang. This kind of experience is rare for others.
After the founding of New China
After the founding of New China, Zhang Xiuqing participated in the Shangqiu District Experimental Yue Diao Theater Troupe and served as a starring role. In 1956, he participated in the first opera viewing and performance conference in Henan Province, played Li Shimin in "Three Crying Halls" and won the first prize for actor. His performances include shaking the body, lifting the boa, flicking the beard, etc. Each move is graceful and refined, and the appearance is handsome and unrestrained. Tian Han is praised as "Zhou Xinfang of Henan". Joined the Chinese Communist Party in the same year. In 1958, he joined the Yue Diao Troupe in Kaifeng District and was appointed deputy director in October 1959. He has been elected as an advanced worker in the provincial literary and art circles for many times, and as a representative of the Shangqiu District and Kaifeng Municipal People's Congress. Zhang Xiuqing is a member of the Chinese Dramatists Association and a director of the Henan Branch. She inherits the traditional singing skills of Yue Diao, and can boldly learn from and innovate in performance practice. Carefully observe the performances of famous artists, and blend the singing styles of Han Opera, Wan Bang, Nanyang Major Opera, Qin Opera, Lu Opera, Hebei Bangzi and other operas into Yue Diao, which not only enriches the expressiveness of Yue Diao, but also gradually forms its own unique singing style. style.
She drew lessons from Peking Opera’s figure, martial arts skills and drumming in her performance, and also made changes to her makeup and costumes. Zhang Xiuqing has a wide range of operas, suitable for both tragedy and comedy, and has created many artistic images. She has played many roles in her life, such as Xiao Danxing: Hu Fenglian in "Butterfly Cup" and Zhang Xiulian in "Catching the Flower Boat"; Xiaoshengxing: Li Tianbao in "Li Tianbao Pays Filial Piety", "Li Shuangxi Borrows Food" Li Shuangxi, Zhang Tingxiu in "A Private Interview with Zhang Tingxiu"; Qingyi Xing: Qin Xianglian in "Embracing Pipa"; Xu Shengxing: Zhuge Liang in "Recruiting Jiang Wei", Li Shimin in "The Weeping Palace", and "Yuanmen Beheads the Son" Yang Yanzhao, Li Tingfang in "Fire Yangzhou"; Lao Danxing: Taijun She in "Beheading Yang Jing"; Harlequin: Jiao Guangpu in "Yang Bajie Trouble in the Hotel". She also played Bao Zheng in "Qin Xianglian", an old mother in the modern drama "The Fiancée of a Volunteer Army", and the sister-in-law in "Two Brothers", etc., which shows that she has a complete range of skills and profound skills. Another example is her starring role as Tang Wang Li Shimin in "Crying Palace". She appears on stage with ease. Her solemn appearance and chic behavior can win the applause of the audience. In addition, she sings while talking and chants while singing. The art of singing and doing has always been known as the "Gai Henan" of Yue Diao. Her singing method and style were later fully learned and carried forward by Shen Fengmei.
She is also actively involved in the adaptation and directing of traditional plays. Later, he starred in modern dramas such as "The Fiancée of a Volunteer Army", "People Go to Heights", "Two Brothers", etc., making pioneering attempts at the performing arts of Yue Tiao modern dramas. He died of illness in 1960 at the age of 41.
Zhang Xiuqing, a leading figure in Yue Diao, died young and left too many regrets for Yue Diao and future generations. (History lishixinzhi.com)
Zhang Xiuqing passed away
In the late 1950s, anti-rightist activities were launched across the country. One day, the troupe went to work. When they returned home, the villagers thought that the troupe had helped a lot and it would be nice to give them some souvenirs. So I gave him two boxes of persimmons. However, the society called for people not to take advantage of the masses. Zhang Xiuqing was appointed as the group leader and felt that he could not take advantage of it. Teacher Lu Guoying thought that the masses should be sincere in their sincerity, so he added: I am the deputy leader, so if anything happens, you can blame me. So I asked for a basket. As a result, there was a meeting at night to criticize Zhang Xiuqing. As the leader of the regiment, he took a basket of persimmons from the masses. Teacher Lu Guoying said: Although she claimed to take responsibility, from beginning to end, Zhang Xiuqing did not shirk responsibility from herself. Having said this, I am very sad. . .
At that time, the troupe had its own private territory. One day, Zhang Xiuqing was eating in the cafeteria, apparently eating steamed buns, and picked up a green onion. The result was criticized. She had stomach problems and high blood pressure. He later died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. Aged 41. At that time, the theater troupe was prospering. Even after his death, it had no impact on the troupe and the troupe continued to perform as usual. Allocate manpower to organize funerals for him. Thinking about the funeral of Teacher Shen Fengmei makes people full of emotions. The approximate location of Zhang Xiuqing's grave today is about three miles northwest of Xicheng Gate (Daliang Gate) in Kaifeng City. Another main actor, Qiu Xiuling, is also buried here. This is the cemetery that Teacher Lu Guoying saw. Later the troupe moved to Shangqiu and then to Zhoukou. Many years ago, teacher He Quanzhi went looking for it but could not find it. The new campus of Henan University is not far from there. I once went to look for it, but there were so many tall buildings and there was no trace of it.
However, there are varying accounts of the details of his death. Briefly summarized below:
Teacher Tian Fagen said: Zhang Xiuqing rode a bicycle to call for actors to participate in the labor force. There was too much sand in Kaifeng, so it was difficult to ride the bicycle, and she suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage.
Teacher Lu Guoying said: After being criticized for taking an extra green onion last time, Zhang Xiuqing was in a very bad mood. When she went to work on the farm, teacher Lu Guoying arranged for her to pinch sweet potato leaves and said: You are not in good health, so work lightly. Come on, I'll boil water for you to drink later. At that time, Zhang Xiuqing burst into tears. Teacher Lu Guoying was boiling water when Zhang Xiuqing suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She grabbed her hair and threw herself to the ground.
Teacher Ren Zhiling said: Zhang Xiuqing and several other primary school students were pinching sweet potato leaves when they suddenly fell to the ground. Teacher Ren Zhiling hurriedly helped her up and asked: Captain Zhang, do you have a stomachache (he has a stomach problem)? Zhang Xiuqing dug her hands into the ground deeply and was in great pain.
The above statement is close to that of Lu and Ren, and seems to be quite different from what Teacher Tian Fagen said. I also asked Teacher Tian, ??and he said: This is roughly the case. It seems that he rode a bicycle to shout first, and then he suddenly suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the farm. As for what he was doing on the farm, Teacher Tian was not present and did not know.
The reason why Zhang Xiuqing is a master of Yue Diao lies in his high artistic level. When he performed in the Weeping Hall, Concubine Zhan said: Qin Ying beat my father to death. King Tang: Ah... (stroking his beard with his hands) Tian Han looked at this and said: It would take a young actor ten years to learn this move. It’s really Zhou Xinfang from Henan! Because emotions are born from the heart. She had had her feet bound in the old society, but it was not serious. However, when performing as a martial arts student, it was not suitable for her to stand firm. However, she trained hard and tried every means to finally stand firm.
Today I heard that the singing styles designed by Zhang Xiuqing and Lu Guoying for the modern plays performed at that time fit the characters and were natural and smooth. Bold and innovative without losing the Yue Tiao style. It’s hard to compare today’s vocal design to that of the others.
Zhang Xiuqing won the First Prize for Actor in the First Opera Performance for her performance of The King of Tang Dynasty in the Crying Palace. His acting skills in modern dramas are also very superb. For example, when a modern play was being rehearsed, the director of the Henan Provincial Repertory Troupe was invited to come. He said to Zhang Xiuqing: You imitate the old lady and walk better than I thought. How can I direct it for you? Also, during the performance on stage, the whole house applauded for the action of scratching his hair. Such skills are a pity ***!
Most of the key young Yuediao actors in the era of Teacher Shen Fengmei were recruited by Zhang Xiuqing in Kaifeng, such as Chen Jiaxun, Ren Zhiling, Li Jinying, Chen Jing, Tian Fagen, Dang Hong, etc. Now it seems that they still have deep feelings for Zhang Xiuqing.
Zhang Xiuqing has a major characteristic: she pays special attention to cultivating students. What she thinks about every day is which student should be rehearsed for her. When she performs somewhere, she often spreads a small mat under a tree and calls someone to come to her. Clap your hands and teach singing.
Zhang Xiuqing had no children, but adopted a daughter. After her death, her mother took the daughter back to her hometown in Wuyang, and the troupe provided living expenses until the old man passed away.
Regarding Zhang Xiuqing’s photo, there is a Henan Opera Chronicle, very young. There is a collection of Yue Diao music, which is not very clear and has reached middle age. There was also a full-length large-scale photo of the Henan Yue Diao Troupe, but it was unfortunately lost. There are also two stills from Yangzhou in Fire and the modern drama Rice. There are several stills in the commemorative album of the viewing competition.