Exhibition commemorates Peking Opera figure's legacy

The University of Southern California is marking the 130th anniversary of the birth of Mei Lanfang, a legendary figure of Peking Opera, with a whirlwind exhibition tour through the United States.

The exhibition Reunion: Mei Lan-Fang and the United States at USC's East Asian Library also commemorates the 94th anniversary of Mei's historic visit to America. It explores a romantic narrative of connection, legacy and reunion — honoring Mei's lasting influence and the cultural ties that continue to bridge nations.

In early 1930, Mei embarked on a tour of the US, performing in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, and New York.

Few moments in history have brought the US and China closer than the six months Mei spent captivating American audiences with his Peking Opera performances, according to media reports.

Thousands filled theaters across the country to witness his art and many had the chance to meet him face to face at receptions, banquets and public gatherings.

The visit played a "groundbreaking" role in fostering cultural exchanges between China and the US, according to Li Shufeng, vice-president of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, the co-organizer of the exhibition at USC.

"This art exhibition is an effort to follow the path paved by our predecessors," Li said during the opening ceremony on Sept 13 at the USC East Asian Library. "It introduced American audiences to the beauty of Chinese opera and the richness of China's ancient cultural heritage, offering them a window into the country's long history."

Los Angeles was the most significant stop during Mei's US visit. It was in LA that he was welcomed by Hollywood and opera enthusiasts, receiving recognition from both the performing arts and academic communities. Notably, USC awarded Mei an honorary doctorate.

"In honor of this recognition that has spanned a century, we followed in Mei Lanfang's footsteps and brought his life and art back to the campus, which held a deep affection for him, continuing this beautiful, romantic story," Li says.

The exhibition runs until Dec 20 and has four sections — Children of Liyuan, Master of Danjiao, Envoy to the US and Reunion Today — that feature oil paintings and traditional Chinese artworks centered on Mei.

The exhibition also has a range of significant academic publications on Mei and the Mei School of Art, along with artifacts such as vintage photos, playbills and maps from Mei's 1930 visit to the US.

"Through these multifaceted objects, the exhibition brings Mei's journey, stagecraft and his historic tour of the US to life, offering audiences a captivating glimpse into the aesthetics and spiritual essence of traditional Chinese opera, as embodied by Mei," Li explains.

Melissa Just, dean of USC Libraries, says that the connection between Mei and USC makes the East Asian Library the perfect venue for this exhibition.

"With Mei's (exhibition) return to USC, this beautiful reunion allows us to step back in time and explore his remarkable life. This is a true cross-cultural collaboration," Just says.

The exhibition marks the beginning of cooperation between the Chinese academy and USC. The two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding for exchanges in the next five years. All the exhibits have been donated by the academy to USC.

Mei and the traditional Chinese culture, represented by Peking Opera, have been the subjects of continuous research by US scholars. One notable scholar is Joshua Goldstein, a professor of history and East Asian languages and cultures at USC. Goldstein has spent decades researching the evolution and dissemination of Peking Opera. His book Drama Kings: Players and Publics in the Re-creation of Peking Opera, 1870-1937 mentions Mei's visit to the US, highlighting its significance in Peking Opera's development and international impact.

Mei's historic visit represents a significant moment in cultural exchange amid a turbulent time, Goldstein says. During his visit, he forged friendships with Western contemporaries, including silent film actor Charlie Chaplin.

"Mei was an innovative figure in Peking Opera," Goldstein notes. "He skillfully blended traditional elements with modern phenomena such as film and visual displays. His approach to character types was also innovative, moving beyond the strict limitations of previous eras."

Mei has been hailed as a "creator of beauty". He inherited traditions while pioneering innovation, organizing and producing many classic operas. Those performances continue to captivate audiences today.

Two young talents from the LA Youth Peking Opera Troupe performed selections from the Mei School of Art's classics The Drunken Concubine and Mu Guiying Takes the Command, earning enthusiastic applause on Sept 13.

Mei's family members, including his grandson Mei Weidong and great-grandson Mei Ruiqi, attended the exhibition, reliving the legacy and dreams of their esteemed ancestor.

"As descendants of Mei Lanfang's family, we not only inherit the spirit and cultural traditions of our ancestors but also have a responsibility to continue promoting cultural exchange and understanding," Mei Weidong tells China Daily.

The Mei family has long-standing ties with USC beyond Mei Lanfang's honorary doctorate. Great-grandson Mei Ruiqi graduated with a master's degree from USC's business school while his great-granddaughter earned a degree from USC's medical school.

"This deep connection between the Mei family and USC has a rich history," Mei Weidong says. "Moving forward, we are committed to continuing our efforts to foster cultural exchange between China and the US."