Xinhua
12 Mar 2026, 21:15 GMT+10
The exhibition revisits the legendary artist's groundbreaking North American debut nearly a century ago.
NEW YORK, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Mei Lanfang, one of the greatest performers of Peking Opera in the 20th century, was honored at an exhibition that opened Thursday in New York City's Manhattan.
Co-organized by the China Institute Gallery and the Chinese National Academy of Arts, the exhibition, titled "The Dancing Goddess: Mei Lanfang in America," revisits the legendary artist's groundbreaking North American debut nearly a century ago.
In 1930, Mei embarked on a tour of six U.S. cities -- New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu, introducing Peking Opera to American audiences. Blending singing, dancing and dramatic performance, Mei captivated theatergoers and sparked widespread fascination with Chinese culture.
The exhibition commemorates his historic tour through costumes, photographs, paintings, stage sets, props and rare archival materials.
Highlights include costumes from the 1920s and 1930s with intricate embroidery and sequins, images of Mei performing on Broadway and rare footage from his signature performances, including from "Farewell My Concubine."
Experts say Mei's 1930 visit marked a milestone in China-U.S. cultural exchanges and had a lasting impact on the development of global theater.
Catherine V. Yeh, curator of the exhibition and professor of Chinese Literature and Transcultural Studies at Boston University, said Mei's legacy lies not only in preserving tradition, but also in transforming it.
"By introducing dance into Peking Opera, Mei helped shape its modern aesthetic," she said.
Wang Kui, director of the Opera Research Institute at the Chinese National Academy of Art, said that the 1930 tour showcased the essence of Peking Opera on the global stage and launched one of the most influential cultural exchanges between East and West.
"Looking back on this milestone journey today, the depth and significance of cultural exchange it presented remains invaluable," he added.
The exhibition runs from March 12 through July 12.
Get a daily dose of Boston Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Boston Star.
More InformationSYDNEY/AUCKLAND: Airlines are warning passengers to expect higher ticket prices as surging jet fuel costs linked to the Middle East...
BENGALURU/CHENNAI: Restaurants and hotels across India warned on March 10 that cooking operations could be disrupted or even halted...
NEW YORK, New York - Escalating tensions in the Middle East again kept buyers away from Wall Street on Wednesday. Oil prices surged...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Anthropic sued the U.S. Defense Department to block its designation as a national security supply-chain risk,...
SUGARLOAF, Pennsylvania: As artificial intelligence drives a surge in electricity demand across the United States, utilities are planning...
NEW YORK, New York - Stocks closed mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed corporate valuations against the escalating geopolitical backdrop,...
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: A report released by the attorney general has revealed that Catholic priests in Rhode Island preyed on hundreds...
The exhibition revisits the legendary artist's groundbreaking North American debut nearly a century ago. NEW YORK, March 12 (Xinhua)...
(Photo credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images) The San Antonio Spurs have been the hottest team in the league since Jan. 1. They will...
(Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images) Many teams in the NHL might need to choose between goal scoring from their top stars or from...
(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) The Washington Capitals will look to bolster their flickering playoff aspirations on Thursday...
(Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) Sixth-year senior Javohn Garcia poured in a career-high 31 points as second-seeded McNeese...
