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Lanfang Mei

Mei Lan (22 October 1894 – 8 August 1961), better known by his stage name Mei Lanfang, was a notable Chinese Peking opera artist in modern Chinese theater. Mei was known as the "Queen of Peking Opera". Mei was exclusively known for his female lead roles (dan) and particularly his "verdant-robed girls" (qingyi), young or middle-aged women of grace and refinement. He was considered one of the "Four Great Dan", along with Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu, and Xun Huisheng.

Birth and Death Data: Born Beijing (capital city of China), Died 1961 (Beijing (capital city of China) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1935

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

Notes: A Victor blue history card describes the artist as a "female impersonator." He was a renowned Peking opera star.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-87091 10-in. 1/31/1935 Kalamatianos (Greek dance) Frances Elliott Clark Instrumental and vocal groups vocalist  
Victor JCE-317 10-in. 10/30/1929 Hai sze Lanfang Mei Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mei, Lanfang," accessed January 20, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103018.

Mei, Lanfang. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 20, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103018.

"Mei, Lanfang." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 20 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103018

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