Mei Lanfang was considered the "King of Peking Opera". An outstanding female impersonator, Mei was also an innovator and reformer of the art. Mei Lanfang introduced Peking Opera to other countries, including the United States, the Soviet Union and Japan. Mei was lauded as an Ambassador of Chinese Culture in the American press.

In recognition of Mei's artistic accomplishments and his efforts to promote cultural understanding between the United States and China, the University of Southern California and Pomona College in Los Angeles awarded Mei an honorary Doctor of Literature degree.

Peking Opera, known as Jing Ju (Capital Opera), has a history of more than 200 years. Because of its patronage by the ruling Qing,or Manchu, dynasty, Peking Opera grew from a local folk art .to the standard bearer of theatrical art. It attained the prominent status of Guo Ju or National Opera of China.

After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1911, Peking Opera continued to gain popularity not only with the upper classes but also with students and intellectuals. By the 1920s, it had developed into a splendid art form and a popular means-of entertainment as well. In the capital alone, numerous theaters were established solely for opera performances, and there were at least, three academies for training young performers and several professonal opera troupes that performed every week.

Chapter One

 An Introduction to Peking Opera

 Historical Perspectives

 Features / Characteristics

 Summary

Chpater Two

 The King of Peking Opera

 Family Background

 Early Training

 Contributions to Peking Opera

Chpater Three

 Self-Reflection and

 International Appreciation

 Self-Reflection

 International Appreciation

Chpater Four

 A Guide to Understanding

 Peking Opera

 Stage and Properties

 Opera Roles and Their Special Costumes

 Movements, Gestures and Pantomime

 Instruments and Voices

Chpater Five

 Representative Peking Opera Works

 Yuzhou Feng

 (A Sword Named Cosmos)

 Gui Fei Zui Jiu

 (The Precious Consort Gets Drunk)

 Qi Shuang Hui

 (A Strange Double Reunion)

 Luo Shen

 (The Goddess of the Luo River)

 Mu Guiying Gua Shuai

 (Mu Guiying Assumes Command)

 Da Yu Sha Jia

 (The Fisherman's Rage)

 Qun Ying Hui

 (The Gathering of Heroes)

 Jiang Xiang He

 (The General and the Prime Minister Reconciled)

 Chi Sang Zhen

 (Red Mulberry Township)

 Shi Yu Zhuo

 (Picking up the Jade Bracelet)

A Glossary of Opera Terms