NEWS Following in the Master’s Footsteps on 120th Anniversary of famous Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang | Following in the Master’s Footsteps on 120th Anniversary of famous Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang |
The Jingju Theater Company of Beijing successfully completed its US tour "120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang" on the night of August 28.
After a 12-day performance tour in New York and Washington, D.C, the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing successfully completed its US tour "120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang" on the night of August 28. Led by master Mei Lanfang’s son, Mei Baojiu, the troupe of more than 100 artists performed in the David Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C, retracing the footsteps of master Mei Lanfang’s successful tour in America 84 years ago. The New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, CCTV, and other mainstream media unanimously extolled the performances. Chief music critic Anthony Tommasini set the tone with a highly positive review in the New York Times. For more media report, please visit the website: http://wupromotion.com/en/news/772 Harking Back to the Glory of Master Mei Lanfang This American tour is uniquely important to the promotion of Peking Opera in the world. According to Mei Baojiu, Master Mei Lanfang visited eight American cities in 1930, including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C, Los Angeles and other cities, during a half-year period. He won widespread acclaim in America and was awarded the title of Professor by an American university. This historic visit to the US was an important step in promoting Mei Lanfang’s art globally. As heir to his father’s art, 80-year-old Mei Baojiu decided to present the most classic plays performed during master Mei Lanfang’s America tour to contemporary American audiences. He is dedicated to nurturing future generations of Peking Opera artists and to promoting Peking Opera globally. The performaces enchanted Audiences. During the performance, the audience frequently broke into loud applause in appreciation of the beauty of Peking Opera.
Chinese Ambassador to the US Spoke Highly of the Performance Before the first New York performance ended, news of the tour had already reached the Chinese Embassy in the US. One day after the troupe had arrived in Washington D.C, the Chinese Ambassador to the US, Mr. Cui Tiankai, invited the entire group to the embassy. Ambassador Cui Tiankai said, "Art that can be introduced to the world is the kind of art that can represent a nation. This performance clearly shows that the most national art form is also global. Mr. Mei Lanfang is an old master who had a crucial role in promoting Peking Opera in the world. As this year is the 120th birth anniversary of master Mei Lanfang, as well as the 80th birthday of Mr. Mei Baojiu and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-US diplomatic relations, this performance tour has unique significance."
Chinese American Movie Star Lisa Lu and Chaplin’s Granddaughter Attended Performance Lisa Lu, master Mei Lanfang’s goddaughter and famous Chinese-born Hollywood star, stayed at the Mei residence in her youth and has been strongly influenced by the Mei School. This performance tour in America was a dream comes true for her. After the first performance, Lisa Lu and Mei Baojiu, both in their eighties, held hands and appeared on stage as the audience burst into thunderous applause. With Lisa Lu as his English translator, Mr. Mei Baojiu said, "Today we have come to New York, where my father visited 84 years ago, to feel the presence of his art." Many Chinese audience members were moved to tears. Among the foreign audience members was Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter. In the afternoon of the New York performance, Mr. Mei Baojiu met and chatted with Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of his father’s good friend, the master comedian Charlie Chaplin. Kiera Chaplin’s wish to dress up as a Chinese imperial lady and be photographed was granted after the performance. Mr. Mei Baojiu talked enthusiastically about stories of his father and Chaplin, "My father was very interested in Chaplin’s films. When he was in America, he wanted to invite Chaplin to Beijing. However, due to changes in the political situation back in China, the plan did not work out but they kept up regular correspondence. When my father performed in Los Angeles, he invited many artists to participate in a conference. Suddenly there was a plumber who ran in to shake my father’s hand. After the initial surprise, the crowd realized that the person who ran in was Chaplin. He was shooting a movie at that time and had rushed over before getting a chance to change."
High Acclaim from Mainstream Media in America The "120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang" tour caused a sensation in America. New York Times chief music critic Anthony Tommasini praised the performance in an article with photos, calling it something that "few shows on Broadway right now outdo." Describing the final act "Drunken Beauty," he wrote, "My favorite was "Drunken Beauty," starring the actor Hu Wenge in the female role of Yang Yuhuan, a part Mei made famous. Yang is a beloved consort of an emperor. One night she prepares an elaborate banquet in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for an evening the emperor has promised will be intimate. But the emperor winds up going to the palace of another of his consorts. Bereft, Yang comforts herself by drinking goblets of wine, urged on by her large retinue of women and a pair of eunuch servants. Mr. Hu was endearing as the abandoned consort, drinking to excess, trying to maintain dignity but becoming increasingly wobbly. "
120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang US Tour Clipping ReportIn August, led by Mei Baojiu, son of Mei Lanfang, the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, Mei Lanfang Jingju Troupe performed in the David Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of the great opera master. The performances received extensive media coverage by the New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, Forbes, Voice of America, and other mainstream media. This tour received 45 pieces media report and 153 pieces reprinted report. International Media Report:New York Times: Mei Lanfang Jingju Troupe Begins a Rare Tour
The Washington Post: Jingju Theater at the Kennedy Center
Forbes: Legendary Peking Opera Troupe Visits New York and Washington Reuters: China's Peking Opera Company marks anniversary with U.S. tour Chinese Today: Mei Baojiu Meets With Chinese American Peking Opera Fans in New York Asia Pacific Daily: Feature Story: The 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Dazzles in New York The China Press : Mei Lanfang Jingju Troupe Appears in Times Square Asian in New York: Peking Opera to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang at Lincoln Center DC Metro Theatre Arts: Wu Promotions Presents: Peking Opera — 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang: ‘Classic Plays of the Mei School’ at the Kennedy Center Sino Version Net: Classic Plays of the Mei School Performed in New York to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Sino Version Net: New York Lounge: Hu Wenge, Heir of the Mei School Sino Version Net: In Honor of the 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Sino Version Net: Mei Baojiu: Legacy of the Mei School Continues on 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang The China Press: Mei Lanfang Jingju Troupe Appears in Times Square The China Press: Mei Baojiu Speaks with Fans in New York on Father Mei Lanfang’s USA Tour World Journal: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Enchants Audiences World Journal: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Successfully Ends in New York World Journal: Panel Discussion on 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Held Today World Journal: Peking Opera Revisits New York in the Footsteps of Mei Lanfang World Journal: Washington, D.C.: Following in the Footsteps of Mei Lanfang’s Performance Tour World Journal: Mei Baojiu Promotes Chinese Culture on 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Domestic Media Report:TV: CCTV13: Peking Opera Performed in New York in the Footsteps of Mei Lanfang Hunan TV: Peking Opera Tour in Washington D.C. to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang PHTV: Classic Plays of the Mei School Performed in the U.S. to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Print Media: WenHuibao: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Begins in New York Morning Post: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Retraces Footsteps of Master Mei Lanfang Morning Post: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Wins Acclaim in America China Daily: Opera singer Remembered. On line Media: Ifeng.com: Mei Baojiu Leads 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Tour in New York Ifeng.com: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Tour Creates Sensation in America Ifeng.com: Peking Opera Worth a Thousand Diplomatic Words Ifeng.com: Legacy of Mei Lanfang’s Peking Opera Carries on Overseas China News: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Performance Tour Begins in America China News: 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Performance Tour Debuts in New York China News: Peking Opera Tour in Washington D.C. to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang China News: Classic Plays of the Mei School Performed in Washington D.C. to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang China News: Mei Baojiu Lectures on Peking Opera at the UN China News: US Performance Tour Commemorating 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Ends Successfully Xinhua Net: Classic Plays of the Mei School Impresses New York Audiences Xinhua Net: Overseas Performance Tour Commemorating 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Debuts in New York Xinhua Net: Mei School Peking Opera Performers Retrace Mei Lanfang’s Footsteps in New York Xinhua Net: Mei Baojiu Meets Chinese and Chinese American Fans in New York Xinhua Net: Back Stage · Male Dan Xinhua Net: US Performance Tour Commemorating 120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang Performs in Washington D.C. |
