Yang Chunxia (1943-)

Born in Shanghai in 1943, Yang entered Shanghai Opera School in 1955 and graduated from the school in 1961 with a focus on Kunqu Opera, one of the most popular operatic forms based on the Wu dialect. After graduation, Yang joined the Shanghai Youth Troupe for Beijing and Kunqu Operas, and underwent Beijing Opera trainings with famed performing artists. Yang became known in China with her successful visit to Hong Kong, during which she played the “White Snake Girl” in the popular Beijing Opera The Legend of White Snake (Baishezhuan). She became one of the idols during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) thanks to her role as the leading revolutionary figure in the “model opera” film Azalea Mountain (Dujuanshan, 1974). After the Cultural Revolution, Yang remains active in Chinese opera scene and has played significant roles in such operas as The Peach Blossom Fan (Tanhuashan) and Broken Bridge (Duanqiao). She is a recipient of the “Chinese Plum” award, the top award for Chinese performing artists in stage plays and operas. Yang is currently a member of the Art Committee of the Chinese Academy of Beijing Opera. She lives in Beijing.