Costumes reveal an enduring legacy
Father and son Peking Opera masters are celebrated in an exhibition of their elaborate stage garments, Chen Nan reports.
His performances of classic pieces continued to captivate audiences, but he brought his own touch to the roles, subtly evolving the design and interpretation of the characters' iconic costumes.
The exhibition highlights how Mei Baojiu maintained his father's legacy while also infusing his work with contemporary sensibilities, ensuring that the art form stayed relevant to modern audiences.
The exhibition, running until Nov 10, centers around nine representative Peking Opera pieces from the two artists, including Farewell My Concubine and The Legend of Yang Yuhuan.
On display are more than 30 exquisite costumes and headpieces that were once worn and used by both artists, many of which are being showcased to the public for the first time, according to Qin Yan, director of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, one of the country's top Peking Opera companies, which was founded in 1979.
Mei Lanfang was among the artists who made great contributions to the foundation of the company.
