Mei Lanfang 梅兰芳

Mei Lanfang (simplified Chinese:梅兰芳; traditional Chinese:梅兰芳; pinyin:Méi Lánfāng; October 22, 1894 – August 8, 1961) was one of the most famous Peking opera artists in modern Chinese history, exclusively known for his Dan roles (female role). Specifically, he portrayed Qingyi roles, a type of Dan role in which the female is typically young or middle-aged and is very gentle and elegant. Mei Lanfang is his stage name, and in Chinese it is generally considered a feminine name. His real name was Méi Lán (Chinese:梅兰). Mei, Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu and Xun Huisheng were known as Four Great Dan in the golden era of Peking Opera.