Mei Lanfang

On August 8, 1961, China mourned the death of one of its most popular artists: Mei Lanfang. This Peking Opera singer, who thrilled audiences with his interpretations of female roles, began his career in 1904, at the age of ten. For hours, he trained his voice, learned to dance and rehearsed his acrobatics, until he reached a level of refinement that propelled him not only in China, but also on the international stage. Yin Ling delicately traces the life and career of this extraordinary character, and also offers us a glimpse into the magical, little-known world of Peking Opera.