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Laurence Chu

An era in modern Peking opera came to an end this week with the death of one of its finest practitioners, Mei Baojiu. Born in 1934, Mei was the son of Mei Lanfang (1894-1961), one of the most famous opera stars of modern times who was known for his Dan, or female, roles. Imaginechina, China News Service and China Foto Press provided these photographs of this remarkable artistic family.











In pictures: the Mei dynasty remembered as opera star Mei Baojiu dies

Mei Lanfang (centre) and son Mei Baojiu (left) with Peking opera master Yu Zhenfei in a performance of the Broken Bridge.

Peking opera master Mei Lanfang shakes hands with military officers and soldiers after giving a special performance at the military frontline in east China's Fujian province 1958. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (China News Service)

Peking opera master Mei Lanfang, right, performs in the Drunk Concubine, one of his greatest opera role. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (Imaginechina)

Peking opera master Mei Lanfang receives a doctor's degree at the South California University in USA during his performance trip. Mei and his troupe toured the United States in 1929 and their performances were a great success. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (Imaginechina)

***ONE TIME USE ONLY*** Peking opera master Mei Lanfang poses for a photo in a dressing up role of a fairy tale opera play in his early performing career. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (Imaginechina)

新華社照片，北京，2016年4月25日 著名京劇表演藝術家梅葆玖在京病逝 著名京劇表演藝術家、京劇藝術大師梅蘭芳先生之子梅葆玖先生，因支氣管痙攣，深度昏迷，經多方搶救無效，於2016年4月25日11時在北京逝世，享年82歲。 梅葆玖，1934年3月29日生於上海，是京劇藝術大師梅蘭芳的第九個孩子，京劇梅派藝術傳人，北京京劇院梅蘭芳京劇團團長。代表作有《霸王別姬》《貴妃醉酒》《穆桂英挂帥》《太真外傳》《洛神》《西施》等。 這是2005年11月15日，在法國巴黎阿迪亞爾劇場，梅葆玖在法國巴黎第二屆中國戲曲節閉幕式上表演京劇名段《貴妃醉酒》。 新華社記者宋立東攝 mei baojiu, xinhua

Peking opera master Mei Baojiu looks at the statue of his father Mei Lanfang which is unveiled at the newly opened Mei Lanfang Opera House in China's capital city Beijing on Nov. 23, 2007. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (China News Service)

Peking opera master Mei Baojiu, 68, son of Mei Lanfang, performs the Drunk Concubine, one of the most famous Mei school opera plays of Mei Lanfang, at the Mei Lanfang Opera House in Taizhou city, east China's Jiangsu province, in Nov. 5, 2002. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (China News Service)

Peking opera master Mei Lanfang shakes hands with American comic actor Charlie Chaplin. Mei Lanfang(1894-1961) is a great master of Peking opera. He was born in a family that has several generations of operatic performer and started learning Peking opera when he was very little. Em not only inherited the fine traditions of Peking opera, but also improved it with his own creations, and cultivated the Mei School (or Mei Style) of the singing and performing art of young female roles. His son, Mei Baojiu, inherited his performing style and passed it to younger performers. Mei Baojiu died on Apr. 25, 2016, at 82, in Beijing. (China News Service)

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Incredible photographs show family which boasted several generations of operatic performers
