Cheng Yanqiu

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Cheng Yanqiu (simplified Chinese: 程砚秋; traditional Chinese: 程硯秋; pinyin: Chéng Yànqiū) (1 January 1904-9 March 1958), born in Beijing. One of the four great twentieth century performers of the Dan role type in Jingju with Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng.

Cheng was also the creator of several original jingju productions in the 1920's and 30's. During the Second Sino-Japanese War he refused to perform and instead worked as a farmer in Beijing. After the war, he was appointed vice president of the Chinese Academy of Traditional Opera.

At 20:20pm, 9 March 1958, Cheng died of heart attack in Beijing.