Taipei Times
Date: Dec 22, 2019
By: Cheng Hsu-kai and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporter, with staff writer

The dan (旦), or female role, in Beijing opera has traditionally been played by men, but with the

inclusion of female performers, men who play the part are increasingly rare on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The presence in Taiwan of 93-year-old dan actor Lee Yi-ching (李毅清), the only male actor in the role over the age of 90, is all the more precious.

Although the quality of his voice is far from when he was in his prime, and he can no longer perform more difficult moves, Lee said that he is still able to al

ter his voice to one octave above and below his normal range for the part.

“Even I find it amazing that I can still perform,” Lee said in an interview.    [FULL  STORY]