TAIZHOU, China, Dec. 13, 2024 — Originating in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, Kunqu Opera, with its delicate melodies and elegant movements, stands as a prized jewel of Chinese opera. It embodies China’s rich cultural heritage and serves as a bridge between past and present artistic traditions. 2024 marks the 130th anniversary of Mei Lanfang’s birth (1894-1961). The exhibition, Radiance of Mei’s Art — Commemorating the 130th Birthday of Mei Lanfang, recently opened at the Kunshan Theatre and Opera Museum, offering a comprehensive and immersive exploration of Mei’s profound connection to Kunqu Opera.

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The exhibition showcases stunning costumes, treasured performance photographs, and historic playbills. Each item highlights the cultural significance and enduring legacy of the Mei Lanfang school’s contributions to Peking Opera and Kunqu.

A highlight is a costume Mei Lanfang wore in the 1920s and 1930s during performances of the Kunqu opera “Dream in the Deserted Garden.” Intricately embroidered with ten floral and bird motifs and gradient-colored threads depicting Buddhist temples and birds, it symbolizes “the flourishing of spring” and “eternity.” A globally renowned master of Peking Opera and Kunqu, Mei Lanfang performed over 30 Kunqu plays, with “Dream in the Deserted Garden” being his most enduring and successful Kunqu production.

Beyond the physical exhibition, opera enthusiasts can enjoy a series of bilingual short videos, Honoring Mei Lanfang, A Classic Revival, on the “China Culture & Art” Facebook and YouTube platforms. These videos offer a virtual experience of Mei Lanfang’s masterpieces. Young actors from the Taizhou Mei Lanfang Art Center recreate Mei’s classic plays and opera excerpts from his American tour, incorporating local Taizhou cultural landmarks and operatic elements. This showcases how the new generation of Taizhou Peking Opera performers follow in Mei’s footsteps, admiring his character and promoting the Mei Lanfang style, fostering a core cultural brand among Taizhou’s youth.

Source: Taizhou Mei Lanfang Art Center

CONTACT: Contact for media only: Contact person: Ms. Ling, Tel: 86-10-63074558

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