(b Beijing, 22 Oct 1894; d Beijing, 8 Aug 1961). Chinese opera actor, a specialist in dan (female) roles. He came from a well-known theatrical family and was trained at Fuliancheng, the most important school for actors in Beijing. He became famous in 1913 when he visited Shanghai. From then on he was in great demand both inside and outside China. He went to Japan in 1919, 1924 and 1956, to the USA in 1930 and to Europe in 1935, his many trips playing a major role in the spread of Beijing opera around the world. A versatile actor, he mastered Kunqu as well as Beijing opera. He was most famous as a qingyi, but could perform any of the dan roles and was an excellent acrobat. After the Communists came to power he helped them in their drama reform and took part in numerous conferences and committees; he joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1959. He made several films and many gramophone records, dictated his autobiography to an amanuensis, Xu Jichuan, and is regarded as the most famous 20th-century Beijing opera actor.
Mei Lanfang, ed. Xu Jichuan: Wutai shenghuo sishi nian [40 years on the stage] (Shanghai, 1952–4)
A.C. Scott: Mei Lan-fang: Leader of the Pear Garden (Hong Kong, 1959/R 1971 as Mei Lan-fang: the Life and Times of a Peking Actor)
Wu Zuguang and others: Peking Opera and Mei Lanfang: a Guide to China's Traditional Theatre and the Art of its Great Master (Beijing, 1981)
Zhongguo xiqu yishujia changqiang xuan, 1: Mei Lanfang [Selected vocal melodies of Chinese opera artists, 1: Mei Lanfang], ed. Zhongguo yishu yanjiuyuan Xiqu yanjiusuo, China Record Co. HD-20 (1982)
COLIN MACKERRAS