One volume in the 40-person Guoyun Chengchuan series, this book is an oral memoir by Chen Guoqing, a renowned Peking opera veteran specializing in the old male role. It offers a detailed account of Chen Guoqing's career, from his family background and training to the distinctive traits of his teachers and his reflections on performing, making it an excellent introduction to the art of the old male role in Peking opera. Its main topics include Tian Han's immense contributions, Niu Biao as a guide to opera studies, Wu Zuguang's influence on historical and theoretical research, his first teacher An Shuyuan, the strict teacher Lei Xifu, Guan Dayuan's thirteen rhyme categories, Liu Zhongqiu teaching the opera piece "Da Gun Chu Xiang," the old male role's basic skills of footwork, beard manipulation, and hair-whipping, laughter on the Peking opera stage, and a message to readers.
