Mao Weitao

Mao Weitao (born 8 August 1962) is a Chinese Yue opera actress-singer who usually portrays Sheng roles (i.e. male characters).[1] A founding member of the acclaimed Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe who also served as its president from 1999 to 2018, Mao Weitao is a household name among Yue opera listeners. For non-opera listeners, she is best known for her portrayal of Dongfang Bubai in the 2001 TV series Laughing in the Wind.

Mao Weitao
Máo Wēitāo
Traditional茅威濤
Simplified茅威涛
Born (1962-08-08) August 8, 1962
Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China
GenresYue opera
Years active1983–present
Associated actsZhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe
In this Chinese name, the family name is Mao.

Mao Weitao is one of only 4 people who have won the Plum Blossom Grand Prize, given to those who continue to be active and innovative in theatre or opera after winning the Plum Blossom Prize twice. She is also the vice-chairperson of China Theatre Association. She was a member of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th National People's Congress.

For years Mao Weitao has taken steps to "modernize" Yue opera. She has recently secured investment from billionaires Jack Ma and Song Weiping to realize some of her more ambitious plans regarding Yue opera.

Career

From 1999 to 2018 she has been the president of Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, with which she debuted in 1984.

Baiyue Cultural Creativity

In 2018, Mao Weitao quit her position in the Xiaobaihua Troupe to become chairwoman of Baiyue Cultural Creativity Co., which was registered in 2016 with the investment of Zhejiang billionaires Jack Ma and Song Weiping. The company seeks to provide services on theatre administration, play production, international collaboration, art education, theatre talent agency, as well as theatre investment, etc.[2][3]

One of Baiyue's first projects was the construction of China Yue Theatre (中国越·剧场) in Hangzhou in 2018, whose state-of-art, butterfly-shaped complex was designed by C. Y. Lee.[4]

Opera roles
English Title Original Title Role Notes
Dream of the Red Chamber紅樓夢Jia Baoyu
He Wenxiu何文秀He Wenxiu
Five Daughters Offering Felicitations五女拜壽Zou Shilongmade into a 1984 film
Tang Bohu Fails the Imperial Examination唐伯虎落第Tang Bohumade into a 1988 film
Peacock Flies Southeast孔雀東南飛Jiao Zhongqing
Butterfly Lovers梁山伯與祝英台Liang Shanbomade into a 2013 film
Romance of the Western Chamber西廂記Zhang Junruimade into a 2010 film
Rouge胭脂Wu Nandai
The Peach Blossom Fan桃花扇Hou Fangyu
Lu You and Tang Wan陸游與唐婉Lu Youmade into a 1989 film
The Desert Prince沙漠王子Luolan
Sorrows in the Han Palace漢宮怨Emperor Xuan of Han
Cold Friendship寒情Jing Ke
Kong Yiji孔乙己Kong Yijimade into a 1998 TV series
The Tale of Ancient Book Collector藏書之家Fan Rong
The Moon's Reflection on the Second Spring二泉映月Abing
The Good Person of Jiangnan江南好人
  • Shen Dai
  • Sui Da
Coriolanus and Du Liniang寇流蘭與杜麗娘Coriolanus
Chunhyangjeon春香傳Yi Monglong
Li Qingzhao李清照Zhao Mingchengmade into a 2010 TV series

References
  1. Zhou, Raymond (2013-07-04). "Mao Weitao: Superstar of Yue Opera". Women of China.
  2. "Alibaba is in Collaboration with Performer Mao Weitao on Theatre Investment". Lotus Lee Foundation. 2018-05-31.
  3. Baiyue Culture Creative (2018-04-04). "Baiyue Culture Creative held "Butterfly - 2018" Press Conference".
  4. Zhang Mei (张玫) (2018-09-25). "中秋夜"大蝴蝶"亮了 茅威涛希望中国越·剧场像悉尼歌剧院一样成为文化地标" ["The Big Butterfly" Shines on Mid-Autumn Night: Mao Weitao Places Hope on China Yue Theatre to Become a Cultural Landmark Like the Sydney Opera House]. Youth Times (in Chinese).


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