Mao Weitao

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Mao Weitao
Máo Wēitāo
Traditional茅威濤
Simplified茅威涛
Born (1962-08-08) August 8, 1962 (age 59)
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 (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 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.

Early life[]

Career[]

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

Reform[]

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 Shilong made into a 1984 film
Tang Bohu Fails the Imperial Examination 唐伯虎落第 Tang Bohu made into a 1988 film
Peacock Flies Southeast 孔雀東南飛
Butterfly Lovers 梁山伯與祝英台 Liang Shanbo made into a 2013 film
Romance of the Western Chamber 西廂記 made into a 2010 film
Rouge 胭脂 Wu Nandai
The Peach Blossom Fan 桃花扇
Lu You and Tang Wan 陸游與唐婉 Lu You made 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 Yiji made 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
Li Qingzhao 李清照 Zhao Mingcheng made 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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