Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) is a legendary of Beijing Opera figure. He began his career at the age of eight, and won national fame before the age of twenty. In over fifty years on the stage, Mei Lanfang played about 100 different characters in the traditional Beijing Opera repertoire. Being a female impersonator, he could perform almost all types of the dan female roles. He was highly accomplished in acting singing and dacing and incorporated them perfectly, giving birth to the "Mei Lanfang School". He enriched characters' gestures, poses and facial experssions, and often designed the choreography himself. He made a significant contribution to Beijing Opera, which became a theatrical form of great literary and artistic value. Mei Lanfang was the first artist to introduce Beijing Opera to an overseas audience. He made success tours to Japan, the United States and the Soviet Union. His excellent performances fascinated both public and academic circles and won international recognition across the globe.
