Yuan Xuefen
Encyclopedia
Yuan Xuefen was a noted performer in the Yueju opera
genre of Chinese opera
. She has been called "arguably the most important actress in the recent history of Yueju [Shaoxing] opera".
. Before beginning work on the adaptation of the work, she personally visited the home of Xu Guangping and Zhou Haiying, Lu Xun's wife and son, and asked their permission. According to Zhou, his mother quickly granted the request. Yuan is credited with leading the reform of Yueju opera staging during the 1940s. Changes included the extensive use of lighting and scenery, and a new, soft style of costuming. In 1964, the film Stage Sisters, based on Yuan's life, was released. During the Cultural Revolution
, Yuan was severely criticized as a way of attacking Premier Zhou Enlai
, who supported the film.
Yueju opera
Yueju opera is a form of Chinese opera founded around 1906. Over time, it grew in popularity, now second only to the Beijing opera.Yueju was initially performed by men only, but female groups started performing in the style in 1923, and during the 1930–1940s, the form became female-only.- External...
genre of Chinese opera
Chinese opera
Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre in China with roots going back as far as the third century CE...
. She has been called "arguably the most important actress in the recent history of Yueju [Shaoxing] opera".
Biography
Yuan is most known for playing the title role in the 1946 production of Sister Xianglin, an adaptation of a work by Lu XunLu Xun
Lu Xun or Lu Hsün , was the pen name of Zhou Shuren , one of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century. Considered by many to be the leading figure of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in baihua as well as classical Chinese...
. Before beginning work on the adaptation of the work, she personally visited the home of Xu Guangping and Zhou Haiying, Lu Xun's wife and son, and asked their permission. According to Zhou, his mother quickly granted the request. Yuan is credited with leading the reform of Yueju opera staging during the 1940s. Changes included the extensive use of lighting and scenery, and a new, soft style of costuming. In 1964, the film Stage Sisters, based on Yuan's life, was released. During the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, Yuan was severely criticized as a way of attacking Premier Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976...
, who supported the film.