Mei Lanfang

about

Méi Lánfāng (traditional Chinese: 梅蘭芳; simplified Chinese: 梅兰芳) (October 22, 1894 - August 8, 1961) 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. Méi Lánfāng is his stage name, and in Chinese it is generally considered a feminine name. His real name was Méi Lán (traditional Chinese: 梅瀾; simplified Chinese: 梅澜). Mei, Shang Xiaoyun (尚小云), Cheng Yanqiu (程砚秋) and Xun Huisheng (荀慧生) were known as Four Great Dan in the golden era of Peking Opera. Méi was born in 1894 into 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.[1] 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.” He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kūnqǔ, noted particularly for his interpretations of Dù Lìniáng (杜丽娘; in The Peony Pavilion) and Bái Sùzhēn (白素贞; in Léifēng Temple). Méi 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, includi

top songs

albums

50 Timeless Tunes

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Peking Opera Star: Shi Yihong

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Mei Song Collection

Classic Peking Opera Vol. 3: Dan (Ju Tan Jing Dian San: Dan Jue Pian)

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50 Timeless Tunes: Chinese Melodies

Classic Collection of Mei Lanfang: Vol. 1 (Mei Lanfang Chang Qiang Zhen Cang Ban Yi)

Classic Collection of Mei Lanfang: Vol. 4 (Mei Lanfang Chang Qiang Zhen Cang Ban Si)

Classic Collection of Mei Lanfang: Vol. 2 (Mei Lanfang Chang Qiang Zhen Cang Ban Er)

Classic Collection of Mei Lanfang: Vol. 3 (Mei Lanfang Chang Qiang Zhen Cang Ban San)

Classic Collection of Mei Lanfang: Vol. 5 (Mei Lanfang Chang Qiang Zhen Cang Ban Wu)

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50 Timeless Tunes: Mei Lanfang

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The Vocal Art Of Chinese Beijing Opera

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