Xu Xiaoxiang

Xu Xiaoxiang (11 January 1832 – ?), born Xu Xin, courtesy name Xinyi and art name Diexian, was a Qing dynasty kunqu and Peking opera artist based in Beijing. He specialized in portraying xiaosheng roles, or younger gentlemen. His best known roles included Zhou Yu in Meeting of Heroes , Xu Xian in Legend of the White Snake, and Liu Mengmei in The Peony Pavilion.

He was a member of the famed Three Celebrations Troupe led by Cheng Changgeng.

Biography Xu Xiaoxiang's biographical information mainly came from his student Cao Xinquan . According to Cao, Xu Xiaoxiang was born as Xu Xin in Wu County, Suzhou, Jiangsu, When he was still a child, he went to the Qing dynasty capital Beijing to learn Peking opera, receiving his first trainings in Yinxiu Hall . He imitated the styles of Hubei native Long Deyun and Beijing native Cao Meixian , both xiaosheng actors, forging his own style from their strengths.

Once he graduated from the training school, Xu Xiaoxiang joined Cheng Changgeng's Three Celebrations Troupe. He was able to play both civil and martial xiaosheng roles, and sing both kunqu and Peking opera arie. He had a handsome face and a resonant voice, beautiful singing in both real voice and falsetto, and graceful movements which demonstrated his charisma. He was a versatile actor who could handle with ease the hand fans used by poor scholars and pheasant plumes worn by generals on their helmets. Theatre historian Qi Rushan considered him the most complete actor of his time because he could portray any xiaosheng role creatively.

When Cheng Changgeng died in 1880, Xu Xiaoxiang was one of those who managed his funeral. Shortly after, he sold his Beijing residence and returned to his hometown, possibly in 1882–83. Different sources differ on exactly when he died, with 1882, 1888, 1902, and 1912 all offered as possible years.

In popular culture Hui opera star Li Longbin portrayed Xu Xiaoxiang in the 1994 TV series Big Boss Cheng Changgeng . In the 2002 comedy TV series The Best Clown Under Heaven , Xu Xiaoxiang is portrayed by Peking opera actor Liu Changcheng .