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Mei Lanfang
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Mei Lanfang, from Beijing, was the most famous performer of dan roles, the female roles in Peking opera that were then played by men. He made pieces such as The Drunken Concubine and 霸王别姬 (Farewell My Concubine) famous. In 1930 he toured the United States, and in 1935 Bertolt Brecht saw him perform, which influenced Brecht's idea of alienation. During the Japanese occupation he refused to perform.
Listening
Listening tip. Listen to Farewell My Concubine and notice the high, tense head voice and the shrill jinghu fiddle that follows the singing closely.
Farewell to My Concubine · Mei Lanfang, 2001
The Drunken Concubine · Mei Lanfang, 2002- Dream In a Garden · Mei Lanfang, Yan Huizhu & Yu Zhenfei, 2004
- Afscheid van de concubine (aria) · Mei Lanfang, 1922
- De dronken concubine · Mei Lanfang
Discography
Studio albums
- 2004Mei Lan Fang Chang Qiang Ji Jin No.19
Mentioned in other articles
- Peking opera Genre
Mei Lanfang, famous for his female roles, toured the United States in 1930, and since 2010 Peking opera has been intangible heritage with UNESCO.
Categories: ArtistsPeking opera