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Zhou Xinfang

Updated:2020-10-30 (chinadaily.com.cn)

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Zhou Xinfang(1895-1975) was a Peking opera actor who specialized in "old male" roles. He is considered one of the greatest Peking Opera performers of the 20th century, and is the leading member of the Shanghai School of Peking Opera.

Zhou is also known by his stage name Qi Ling Tong, which literally means "seven-year-old boy".

Zhou, a native of Cixi, a county-level city in Ningbo, Zhejiang, was born in a family with a tradition of opera performing.

He started learning Peking opera at age seven and made his debut as a child model in Hangzhou, thus acquiring the stage name "Qi Ling Tong" or "Seven-year-old Boy".

Zhou developed his own unique vocal style, which came to be known as the "Qi Style" or "Qi School". His famous performances include Four Scholars, Xiao He Chases Han Xin in the Moonlight, and Qingfeng Pavilion.

He has served successively as vice president of the National Academy of Chinese Opera, vice chairman of the Chinese Drama Association, president of the East China Academy of Chinese Opera, and president of the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre.