The former stage star and director Li Youbin passed away on December 16, and we look back on the glorious chapter left by this artistic giant. The legendary inheritor of Peking Opera will come to an end at a farewell ceremony on the morning of December 24, which is expected to be a tear-jerking farewell journey.
Li Youbin, who can be described as the inheritor of the bloodline of Peking Opera, was born in the home of Master Li Shengbin. Li Shengbin, Li Wanchun, and Li Shaochun are known as the "Three Lis", and together they have written the glorious history of Peking Opera. Li Youbin grew up under the influence of Liyuan since he was a child, and made his debut on stage at the age of 12, which was his first experience as a warrior actor in the red era. After the liberation, he joined the Fujian Peking Opera Troupe and became the leading actor of the classic repertoire "Fa Zidu", "Wu Song Fights the Tiger", "Eighteen Arhats Fight Wukong", etc., and is the mainstay of the provincial troupe. In 1965, he starred in the role of "Ou Yingcai" in "The Great Wall of the South China Sea", which became a highlight at that time.
In 1971, Li Youbin stepped into the field of directing and screenwriting and began his journey of artistic exploration. His creations such as "The True and False Monkey King" and "The Hate of the King" have become classics. His artistic influence is not limited to the stage, but also brings some of his classics to the screen, which have successfully won international acclaim. It is especially worth mentioning that he served as the art director of the film version of "Havoc in Heaven" in 2020, and he still has the same style when he is interviewed, looking back on his rich life.
Li Youbin once recounted the unforgettable moment when his father and Mei Lanfang were on the same stage, which was very emotional. When the People's Liberation Army met the opera troupe, his father took him to perform with the troupe at the age of 11 until the liberation of the country. At the age of 17, he was already a leading actor, but the special period forced him to interrupt his acting career, and he did not re-enter the stage until he was 40 years old. In 1979, he starred in and directed "The True and False Monkey King" swept the country, with more than 600 solo performances, and even performed in Zhongnanhai, which became the pride of his life.
After retiring in 2000, Li Youbin did not stay away from the stage, but always took on the role of a teacher. Even at the age of eighty, he still "plays with guns and sticks" in the troupe, demonstrating every movement and look at the students, all in order to pass on his experience. This was also the last time he interacted with the audience when he performed "Jiepai Guan" on July 14 this year, and it became the last scenery of his life.
In the early morning of December 17th, the students shared the ** teaching of teacher Li Youbin in the troupe, the old artist held a double knife in his hand, and fought with the students on the same stage, with vigorous skills, a set of movements flowing, and the skills were still the same. It's a sight to behold, as the maestro is not only a great performer, but also a teacher with a great sense of humor.
Mr. Li Youbin, who passed away, dedicated his life's work to Fujian and Peking Opera. His departure is undoubtedly a great loss to the Peking Opera industry, like a meteor crossing the sky, and the brilliance left behind will shine forever. Under his influence, the artistic heritage of Fujian and Peking Opera will continue to flourish. His life is a legend of his time and a timeless example of art.
Mr. Li Youbin is a master in the field of Peking Opera, and we deeply regret his passing, but his rich artistic legacy will inspire more future generations to continue to walk on the stage and inherit traditional Chinese arts. May Mr. Li Youbin go all the way, and may he continue to play the sound of heaven on another stage.