Henan Opera Masters Series (Qu Opera) – Famous Plays and Famous Segments of Cui Lantian

Author: Guo Guangyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Cui Lantian was born in Cao County, Shandong in 1926. A renowned Yuju (Henan Opera) performing artist, theatrical educator, and founder of the "Cui School" of art. She is a first-class actress. She is a member of the China Theatre Association and vice chairman of the Henan Provincial Theatre Association. She grew up in poverty. At the age of five, she followed her parents to Zhengzhou during a famine. At eleven, she joined the Taiyi troupe to study acting, learning the xusheng (male lead) role from Zhou Haishui and Jia Suo. She was able to perform on stage only three months later, initially appearing alongside her senior fellow student Mao Lanhua. Soon after, she starred in xusheng plays such as The Great Revenge of Dongwu and Hu Di's Scolding Yan.
In 1942, after completing her training, she was invited to join the Luoyang Chu Gongmin troupe as the lead actress. She performed alongside other famous Yuxi (Western Henan Opera) artists such as "Dog's Tail," "Earth Mole," "Dog Head," and "Cui Zhao." Later, she studied the dan role under the renowned Yuxi dan actress Zhang Qingguan, further honing her skills. In 1944, she went to Xi'an and became the lead actress in troupes led by Gao Chengyu and Shen Zian, performing in cities such as Xi'an, Baoji, Lingbao, and Shanzhou. With the help of Mr. Fan Cuizhen, she had the opportunity to perform alongside famous actresses Chang Xiangyu and famous xusheng actors Chang Jinghuo and Cao Zidao in plays such as The Peach Blossom Inn, The Horse Trade, The Butterfly Cup, and The Sale of Miao Lang. She gained great fame in the Northwest theatrical scene and became one of the Yuju stars alongside Chen Suzhen and Chang Xiangyu.
In 1949, she formed her own troupe, the Languang Theatre Society. In 1951, she returned to Henan and became the director of the Anyang Municipal Yuju Troupe. In 1956, she again served as the director of the Anyang Municipal Yuju Troupe. That same year, she participated in the first Henan Provincial Theatre Observation Competition and won the first prize for acting. In 1957, she became a disciple of the renowned Kunqu Opera actress Bai Yusheng. In 1959, she became the director of the Anyang Municipal Yuju Theatre and later took Zhang Baoying and Guo Huilan as her disciples. That year, she won the outstanding actress award at the second Henan Provincial Theatre Observation Competition. In 1963, she also served as the principal of the Anyang Municipal Theatre School. In 1965, she participated in the Central South Modern Drama Competition. In 1980, she took part in the Henan Provincial Yuju School Competition.
The plays she performed, such as Qin Xianglian, The Peach Blossom Inn, The Sale of Miao Lang, and The Three Times on the Cart, are known as the "Four Great Tragedies of the Cui School." Her singing style is based on the five tones (wuyin) but also incorporates the upper five tones (shangwuyin). It blends the melodies of sister arts such as Qin Opera, Qu Opera, Hebei Bangzi, and Jingkun Opera, creating a rich and diverse vocal timbre. Her pronunciation excels in nasal resonance, with a wide vocal range. Experts summarize her style as "gentle breath, unforced tone, clear words, harmonious sound, and composed expression." Her singing is straightforward, with little use of ornamental notes, and her performance embodies stillness while being dynamically expressive. She often portrayed virtuous, kind, and steadfast women with tragic fates, becoming a prominent representative of the Yuxi school and one of the "Five Great Dan Acts" of Yuju.
Comrade Cui Lantian is a Yuju performing artist and educator. The "Cui School of Art" she pioneered is one of the five major artistic schools of Yuju in China. With profound artistic foundations and high levels of achievement, she is beloved by the masses, much like Chang Xiangyu, Ma Jinfeng, Chen Suzhen, and Yan Lipin. Her direct disciple, the renowned young actress Zhang Baoying, has inherited her true artistry. She has performed in Taiwan twice and gained fame on the island. Under Cui Lantian's guidance, her film Bao Qingtian, a Yuju art film, has become a hit in the gem of the motherland—Hong Kong.