Mei Hua Da Gu was originated in
Beijing, it was also called Qing Kou Da Gu. In the past, Mei Hua Da Gu was a melody often performed by the Manchurian of Beijing. Famous actors include zhong Wanqi, Jin Xiaoshan, etc. and afterwards, Cao Baolu, Wang Ziyu, etc. Later, Jin Wanchang made some innovations, which gave new vitality to this sort of Quyi. After innovated by Jin Wanchang, Mei Hua Da Gu was very vivid and absorbing and was loved by the audience deeply, and it gradually become the orthodox school. The actors of
Tianjin Mei Hua Da Gu included Qiu Yushan, Zhou Zichen and string musician Lu Chengke. All of them recruited many female apprentices. The actresses that became famous later included Hua Sibao, Hua Wubao, Hua Xiaobao (Shi Wenxiu), Hua lianbao, Hua Yunbao, Hua Yinbao, Zhou Wenru, etc. Mei Hua Da Gu has another form of performance, that is Han Deng Da Gu which was resumed recently. When performing Han Deng Da Gu, the actor hold a dragonheadshaped lampstand in the mouth. He cannot open mouth while singing, and the tune is pronounced by the throat and tongue, so the aria should not belong, and it lays much importance on other performance like the drug beating, etc.
