Performing in tribute to a legendary master

Peking Opera singer recalls receiving a gift from her idol as she embarks on her first national tour, bringing back a classic piece, Chen Nan reports.

In 2015, Lu Jie received a gift that would shape the next decade of her life: a CD of Peking Opera master Mei Baojiu (1934-2016), son of the legendary Mei Lanfang (1894-1961), performing Taizhen Waizhuan (The Anecdotes of Taizhen).

"I played it in my car every day," Lu recalls. "Sometimes, I'd arrive home and just sit there, unwilling to leave the car until the aria finished. His voice … was like something from heaven."

As Mei Baojiu's last disciple, it was the only CD that he ever gave to Lu, who spent countless hours not only mastering his technique but also understanding his philosophy. In doing so, she inherited the performing style established by his father, master Mei Lanfang.