Mei Lanfang (1894—1961) was a great artist of Beijing opera. Mei Lanfang was his stage (舞臺) name. His 56
real
name was Mei Lan.
Mei Lanfang was 57
born
into a family of Beijing opera performers(表演者) in Beijing. Mei 58
began
studying Beijing opera at the age of eight and made his first performance on the stage 59
when
he was ten years old, playing a girl. Some of his most famous 60
roles
were Bai Niangzi, Lin Daiyu, Yuji, and Yang Yuhuan. Mei was one of the greatest singer-actor dancers in Chinese 61
history
.
Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing opera to 62
many
foreign countries. Thanks to his wonderful performances, Beijing opera was 63
widely
known to lots of foreigners and won their hearts. On May 31,1961, Mei Lanfang performed Mu Guiying Taking Command in Beijing. It was his 64
last
performance on the stage, making the end of his 60-year career(生涯).
In 2000, the story of his life was filmed in a documentary in memory of 65.
his
life. Its name is The Worlds of Mei Lanfang.
