| Li Shiji, a Well-known Peking Opera performer, born in Suzhou of Jiang Su ,while her ancestral home is Mei country of Guangdong province, and was brought up in Shanghai . Fond of opera at an early age, she began to learn to sing at the age of five, and at age of 12 she knew Cheng Yanqiu whose art she learnt from.In order to learn how to perform Qingyi,( female roles) ,she once consulted the famous artists Mei Lanfang, Zhao Tong-shan, and Wang Youqing etc. She gave up her studies at Shanghai Second Medical School and concentrated on learning Chengpai art in 1950. In 1952, she began to organize her own troupe and gave performance around the country, in 1953, she found "Li Shiji troupe." She joined the Beijing opera troupe in 1956, cooperating with Malian Liang, Tan Fuying, Qiu Shengrong .etc to perform. She assigned to NO.2 mission in China Peking Opera Theater. In art, Li Shiji not only studied Chen Style, but also made some innovation. She constantly strived for perfection in both the aria and the script in light of her practice on the stage. She studied Chen Style and developed it, and formed her own features. Her success attributed to her talent and consistent efforts, and she was famous for her mellow flavor, sincere feelings, moving voice and skills of characterization. Here are some her adept traditional plays "Unicorn-trapping Purse" " Fury of the queen " “Concubine Mei” "Chen Sanliang" "Chen Sanliang Appeals at the Court" "Return of Wenji" " Yingtai regected arranged marriage” etc. She also taught some prentices who are now active at stage, among which are Li Haiyan, Liu Guijuan, Li Peihong etc. |