王善朴

简介

Wang Shanpu (1929 – 5 August 2025) was a renowned Chinese opera actor of the Yu opera (Henan opera) tradition, born in Qingfeng County, Henan Province. He entered the world of performing arts at the age of ten in 1939 when he joined the Second Anti-Japanese War Troupe of Qingfeng County, studying martial and singing male roles under the tutelage of master Chen Yucai. In 1947, he joined the New Youth Society of the Fourth District of the Hebei-Shandong-Henan Border Region. In 1953, he was transferred to the Henan Provincial Opera Troupe, and later to the Third Troupe of the Henan Yu Opera Theatre, where he served successively as deputy head and head of the troupe. Wang Shanpu is regarded as one of the most prominent Yu opera performers of the modern era, known for his performances in classic works such as Liu Hu Lan, Xiao Er Hei Gets Married, Li Shuangshuang, Ren Huan Ma Jiao, Chao Yang Gou, and Chao Yang Gou Nei Zhuan. His portrayal of the role Shuan Bao in the famous work Chao Yang Gou became one of the defining roles of his career. He dedicated his life to the art of Yu opera and developed a distinctive singing style recognized throughout the artistic community, and a special album of his most celebrated vocal excerpts was released.