Yuan Shihai, 86; Star of Classical Peking Opera
Yuan Shihai, 86, a former star of classical Peking opera, died of undisclosed causes Dec. 11 in Beijing.
Born in 1916, Yuan began studying the distinctive, high-pitched Peking opera singing style when he was 8. He developed a singing technique that bears his name, and sang into his late 70s. Until his death, Yuan was deputy manager of the China Peking Opera Theater.
He served as a delegate to China’s legislature and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a high-level government advisory body.
Nearly 1,000 mourners attended his memorial service Sunday at a Beijing cemetery.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
