Beijing opera troupe honors Mei Lanfang with 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River' performance in Taizhou

Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River is performed in Taizhou, Jiangsu, the ancestral home of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

The Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe of the Jingju Theatre Company of Beijing performed the iconic opera Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River in Taizhou on the evening of Oct 17.

The troupe, which has a rich artistic legacy, is currently on a nationwide tour to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Mei Lanfang's birth and the 90th anniversary of the birth of his son, Mei Baojiu.

Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River, first performed in 1923, was designed by Mei Lanfang himself, including the character's elaborate costumes and graceful movements. The opera became one of Mei's signature works, celebrated for its elegant choreography, dreamlike setting, and the unique, melodic style of Mei's singing.

Although it was Mei Lanfang's long-held dream to develop Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River into a full-length production, it wasn't until 2001 that his son, Mei Baojiu, helped his students create a four-act version. This modern adaptation preserves the essence of the Mei School while incorporating new theatrical techniques, making it a dazzling and awe-inspiring spectacle for contemporary audiences.

This two-day performance in Taizhou, the ancestral home of Mei Lanfang, is part of the troupe's tribute tour, featuring nearly 60 performances of Mei School classics across China.