Performers › Stage Performers
Gai Tianhong
Jin opera performer of bearded male roles, real name Wang Buyun, whose ringing voice founded the Gai school; recorded Xia Hedong and other pieces for Pathé in Shanghai in 1937
Backstage of a theatre troupe, an open trunk spills embroidered red and blue robes, one worked with a phoenix, beneath a jewelled headdress with long plumes; a mirror stand, a stool and a row of painted drums stand beside it, with a red curtain hanging at the right.
Also known as Real name Wang Buyun · Childhood name Guanshun
- Roles
- Stage Performers
Gai Tianhong, real name Wang Buyun and childhood name Guanshun, came from a Hebei family that moved to Xugou in Shanxi when he was five; at eleven he entered the Xishengyuan training troupe to learn bearded male roles. His high, ringing voice was said to settle a whole theatre with one line, and he performed with the Jinliyuan, Wanfuyuan, Jinyiyuan and other companies, excelling in Xia Hedong, Golden Beach, The Butterfly Cup and Reed Flowers; his manner became the Gai school of Jin opera. In March 1937 he went to Shanghai with the Tangfeng troupe and that year recorded Beheading Over the Yellow Robe, Xia Hedong and Reed Flowers for Pathé. Ding Guoxian and Qiao Yuxian were among the performers he coached. He returned ill to his village in Qi county in spring 1943 and died soon after.
Life and times
Dates 1884 CE–1943 CE