Mei Lanfang
Mei Lan (22 October 1894 – 8 August 1961), better known by his stage name Mei Lanfang, was a notable Chinese Peking opera artist in modern Chinese theater. Mei was known as "Queen of Peking Opera".[1] Mei was exclusively known for his female lead roles (dan) and particularly his "verdant-robed girls" (qingyi), young or middle-aged women of grace and refinement. He was considered one of the "Four Great Dan", along with Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu, and Xun Huisheng.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Mei.Early life[edit]
Mei Lanfang was born in Beijing in 1894 into a family of Peking opera and Kunqu performers (performers of a traditional Chinese theatre composed of drama, ballet, opera, poetry, and music) of Taizhou, Jiangsu ancestry.
Philanthropy[edit]
In 1924, Mei went to Japan after learning about the Great Kantō earthquake that had caused destruction. During his stay, he not only performed to earn money, but he also raised funds from the Japanese to help the cause.
In popular culture[edit]
Chen Kaige's 2008 film Forever Enthralled is a biographical account of Mei Lanfang.[8]
In 2009, the Chinese Google homepage displayed a logo commemorating his 115th birthday on October 22.[9]