Peking Opera enthusiasts are excited by the prospect of a series of performances from December 18 to 20 at the Chang'an Grand Theatre commemorating the 95th anniversary of the birth of Xi Xiaobo (1910-77), known as one of the top four xusheng (elderly male role) performers of the last century.

There are four types of role in Peking Opera; the male, the female, the "painted pace" and the clown, which can be further classified by age and profession. Sheng or male roles can be divided into three categories the old, the young and the martial arts expert. Xusheng refers to old male roles.

Born into the family of a high official and scholar at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Xi loved Chinese calligraphy, painting and Peking Opera from boyhood. At the age of 11, he was lucky enough to have Yan Jupeng, then the most renowned xusheng, as his teacher. Eight years later he started his career as an actor. Xi was famed for his amazing knowledge of culture and arts, his deep voice and elegant manners on stage.

Zhang Jianguo, the most popular xusheng of the Xi School from the National Peking Opera Theatre, will share the stage for three nights with a dozen actors of the Xi School from other Peking Opera theatres throughout China. They will perform Xi's signature repertoire "Fan Jing Won the title of Juren" (Fan Jing Zhongju) (December 20) and signature arias (December 18 and 19).

At the new Experimental Theatre the main part of the New Year season will start on December 16 with a concert showcasing Peking Opera featuring arias selected from "yang ban xi," the so-called model plays of modern Peking Opera, and ballets staged during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

Until February 12, the company's leading young actresses, including Deng Min, Wang Runjing, Ma Shuai, Diao Li and actors Huang Binqiang, Wei Jijun and Zhang Jianguo, will perform popular classics such as "Fifteen Strings of Coins" (Shiwu Guan)," "Phoenix Returning to Its Nest" (Feng Huan Chao) and others.

The highlights of the New Year season are predicted to be two performances at the Poly Theatre on January 16 and 17 and two at the Forbidden City Concert Hall on January 29 and 30.

The current most celebrated Peking Opera artists in China including Li Shengsu, Yu Kuizhi, Li Shiji, Li Haiyan, Zhao Baoxiu and Meng Guanglu will sing some of the most popular arias.

(China Daily December 12, 2005)