Biography of Tan Xinpei

Author: Zhou Chuanjia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-12-01
Features: He created the glorious saying "No opera is complete without Tan" and "No one studies Tan without learning his style," earning the titles "Tan Jiaotian" (Tan the Heaven-Singing) and "King of the Opera World." As the founder of the Tan school, he inherited the legacy of his renowned master, Cheng Changgeng, and led Peking Opera towards maturity. His unwavering dedication to the art of the old scholar role, despite personal limitations, and his relentless pursuit of perfection epitomize a spirit of dedication. His noble character, such as saving a young woman and nurturing the talents of younger generations like Yang Xiaolou and Mei Lanfang, serves as great inspiration for those engaged in traditional Chinese opera today. Moreover, his favor with Empress Dowager Cixi and his eventual death at the hands of the Beiyang warlords undoubtedly reflect the life of opera performers in the old era.