Mei Lan Fang

Mei Lan Fang

The King of Peking Opera - Mei Lan Fang

He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kūnqǔ, noted particularly for his interpretations of Dù Lìniáng (in The Peony Pavilion) and Bái Sùzhēn (in Léifēng Temple).

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. He was known to have toured the world, forming friendships with the western contemporaries of his day, including Charlie Chaplin. During his visit to Hollywood, he was also welcomed by Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

Guanghe Theatre

1894

Xiliancheng Theatrical Company

NO

Shang Xiaoyun

Cheng Yanqiu

Xun Huisheng

Mandarin

Person

meilanfang1894

1894-10-22

Beijing, China

1961-08-08

Chinese Opera Singer

Actor

Dancer

Mei Lan Fang was one of the most famous Beijing opera or Peking opera artists in modern history, exclusively known for his qingyi roles, a type of dan role. Mei is his stage name, and in Chinese it is generally considered a feminine name.

Mei was born in a family of Beijing Opera and Kūnqǔ performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old. In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim, and his smooth, perfectly timed, poised style has come to be known in opera circles as the “Méi School.”

https://www.last.fm/music/Mei+Lanfang/+wiki