Shang Xiaoyun () (1900 – April 19, 1976) was one of the four great twentieth century performers of the

Dan Dan or DAN may refer to: People * Dan (name), including a list of people with the name ** Dan (king), several kings of Denmark * Dan people, an ethnic group located in West Africa **Dan language, a Mande language spoken primarily in Côte d'Ivoir ...

role type in

Peking opera Peking opera, or Beijing opera (), is the most dominant form of Chinese opera, which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in Beijing in the mid-Qing dynasty (1644–1912) and became fully developed and recognize ...

with

Mei Lanfang Mei Lan (22 October 1894 – 8 August 1961), better known by his stage name Mei Lanfang, was a notable Peking opera artist in modern Chinese theater. Mei was known as "Queen of Peking Opera". Mei was exclusively known for his female lead ...

Cheng Yanqiu Cheng Yanqiu (1 January 1904 – 9 March 1958) was a Chinese Peking opera singer. He is remembered as one of the 20th-century's great female impersonators, having specialized in Peking opera's female roles (''dan''). Life Cheng was born in Be ...

, and

Xun Huisheng __NOTOC__ Xun Huisheng (5 January 1900 - 26 December 1968) was one of Peking Opera's "Four Great ''Dan''", along with Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, and Shang Xiaoyun. All four were men who played the female lead roles (''dan'') during the gene ...

. All four were male actors who specialized in impersonating women. In addition to his singing, Shang was known for his dance and acrobatic skills. He was the founder of the Rong Chun Opera School.

References

1900 births 1976 deaths Chinese male Peking opera actors Chinese male dancers Victims of the Cultural Revolution 20th-century Chinese male singers Female impersonators in Peking opera People from Nangong Singers from Hebei Male actors from Hebei 20th-century Chinese male actors Burials at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery {{China-singer-stub