On January 20, "Peking Opera Maestro Mei Lanfang: His Art, His Life", co-organized by the National Museum of China, Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall and Taizhou Municipal People's Government, was exhibited and opened to the public at the National Museum of China. The exhibition displayed nearly 400 pieces (sets) of objects, all of which are precious relics and documents related to Mei Lanfang's artistic life. In addition, nearly 600 related pictures are on display.

With his ancestral home in Taizhou, Mei Lanfang was born in Beijing in 1894. As a renowned Peking opera artist in the 20th century, Mei successfully subverted the previous Peking opera style that taking sheng (male role) as the centre and created the new era which equally values dan role and sheng role.

As a pioneer in the overseas dissemination of Peking Opera art, he visited foreign countries many times, demonstrating the unique value of Chinese opera in the world’s great houses of art. He made positive contributions to exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and foreign civilizations.

It thus fully demonstrates the artistic creations of Mr. Mei Lanfang in different historical periods through a panoramic lens, allowing visitors to experience the personal charm and moral demeanor of this master of a generation up close, and to savor the love of life and strength of spirit contained in the works of the Mei School of Peking Opera art.

Time: Currently on display

Venue: North 3 and North 4 exhibition halls of the National Museum of China