Jing Yun Da Gu is a major type of
Tianjin Quyi. Jing Yun Da Gu is also called Xiao Kou Da Gu, it was originated from Qie Da Gu, which was innovated by Zhong Wanqi, Yu Dekui, etc. They changed the libretto into dialect of
Beijing and renewed the tune, turned it into jingyin Da Gu. After a series of reforms, it was finally named Jing Yun Da Gu. Since the 1920's and 1930's, actors and actresses have been emerging in large numbers, which further determined the position of Jing Yun Da Gu in Chinese folk art forms and formed three major schools represented by Liu Quanbao, Bai Yunpeng and Zhang Xiaoxuan respectively. Liu Quanbao was once the apprentice of Wang Qinghong, an famous old act or of Tianjin. Plus his talent and diligence, he became a great master of Jing Yun Da Gu for his generation, and he was also called "King of Da Gu". His fame has been famous in folk art field for 50 years. Bai Yunpeng usually perform stories of juniors, he was wellknown for his gentle, witty and feeble voice, which formed his unique style. Zhang Xiaoxuan's style is straight for ward and calm, full of strength, like the water of Yangze River Which rushes out for one thousand miles. In the end of his aria, he stops suddenly, and the audience feel that his voice is still lingering and will never fade away.
This was his unique style. Afterwards, Xiao Caiwu (Luo Yusheng) emerges. Considering her own characteristics and combining the strong points of Liu and Bai, she created her own artistic style. Especially her distinct pronunciation and clear tune in low voice was something that common actresses cannot perform. And because of this, she became the Queen of Da Gu and has been the ace actress in the Quyi field of Tianjin for more than 30 or 40 years. Luo Yusheng is currently the chairwoman of China Quyi Artist Association. She still performs on the stage occasionally. In addition, there were amateur performers in Tianjin in those days, among them, the most famous are Li shiru and Feng Zhibin.
