Luo Pinchao

Luo Pinchao (Chinese: 羅品超; pinyin: luo2 pin3 chao1; Jyutping: lo4 ban2 ciu1; born Chinese: 羅肇鑒; pinyin: luo2 zhao4 jian4; Jyutping: lo4 siu6 gaam3; June 1912 – July 15, 2010) was a Cantonese opera stage actor who started to perform (as his career choice) in 1930. He was eventually recognized as the world's [1] oldest opera singer by the Guinness World Records.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Luo.

Pinchao died in Guangzhou on July 15, 2010, at age 98.[2][3]

Career

Returned to mainland China upon the birth of PRC, bringing along fellow convinced performers. Joined Communist Party and eventually became intellectual property of the State (Chinese: 國寶). Front and center on stage only when first returned to perform in Hong Kong with peer performers in the late 1970s. Shared stage and spotlight with PRC troupes of up-and-coming performers all over the world[4][5] after those few performances.

By 1988, planned succession for offices was already in full force. Through communal spirit (instead of individual idolization or personal branding) among the Pinchao generation (grandfathered into the system in the 1950s), the Cultural Revolution[6] and various other events, gone in this arena was life tenure. Collusion among the elders found in some other mainland Chinese Opera genre still, Hong Kong and all over the world generally in Cantonese opera, The Dog in the Manger, didn't survive in PRC.

True to his motto "life-long learning approach" (1988 biography) Pinchao continued the journey in the US, learning a new language - English as a Second Language[7] (ESL). (Unadulterated by interpreter, as Fong Yim Fun, his former co-star on stage and in films, can move at will [8] between Cantonese and English or not is not known.) Gave lessons (to all, including different descent and nationality) in Chinatown while living in New York, USA since 1988 for citizenship. Bookends of his time (from inaugural as Vice-Chancellor in 1958 to Artistic Director in 1988) spent teaching in State training school are:-

  • Tsoi Kwok Hing, the first crop of graduates in the 1960s
  • Ting Fan (retired recently from office in 2017 at 63 years old) whom he hand-picked for training in the late 1970s

Lost count how many he groomed over decades of teaching when performed with six generations of students at one point. Performance on stage had been few and far between.[9]

Very late in life, took under his wing a young student, grand-kid of an old friend (Chinese: 白燕仔). This is his only known opera or professional offspring. Also, he looked over the shoulders of his former students who held offices, gave lessons and took-up various responsibilities he left behind (as Artistic Director, Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institution in 1988) during his yearly returns to mainland while his speech always remained clear and diction was still good all along.

Repertoire select
  • Luo Cheng at the Gate
Often known as Luo Cheng writing a letter to emphasize hour-long scene with Pinchao standing on one foot while writing a letter with own (character's) blood.
  • Bandits of Shandong Province
Pinchao known for the scene in which the ride (a horse, the art of abstraction) was bridled and saddled (Chinese: 配馬).

Filmography select
  • White Poplar, Red Tears
  • Hongling's Blood (Part 1)
  • Hongling's Blood (Part 2)

Excerpt select

Personal life
  • Married (1944-1982) to Huang Bao-qiong (Chinese: 黃寶瓊; pinyin: huang2 bao3 qiong2; Jyutping: wong4 bou2 king4) until her death and produced one son.

Biography

References
  1. Oldest opera singer Luo Pinchao, China Mainland (Guandong Cantonese Opera Grand Artistic Theatre, Guangzhou), 20 June 2004
  2. "World's oldest opera singer dies at age 98", Associated Press, July 16, 2010.
  3. Cantonese opera maestro dies, The Straits Times, 17 July 2010, P34 (Microfilm Reel NL30846)
  4. Fine opera from Guangdong, The Straits Times, 30 November 1981, Page 1
  5. In their 70s and still in their best, The Straits Times, 18 November 1981, Page 1
  6. China Transformed by Elimination of ‘Four Olds' By TILLMAN DURDINMAY 19 May, 1971, Page 14, The New York Times
  7. Chinese Traditions Survive a Transplant, The Other New York City Opera by ANGELA STARITA 17–23 February 1999. The Village Voice
  8. 91 years old Fong Yim Fun said "Very good!".
  9. The HKSAR Government Press Release 2002-03-13 馳騁粵劇舞台八十載　群星拱照一代名伶羅品超 (In Chinese Only)
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