"Mei Lanfang's Journey to America -- A Series of Works by Qi Rushan"

Author: Qi Rushan (narrated), Qi Xiang (compiled)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Cover Note: In 1929, Mei Lanfang performed the traditional costume drama "Fenhewan" (portraying Liu Yingchun) in the United States. "Fenhewan" tells the story of Xue Guiyuan, a Tang Dynasty general who returns home after eighteen years of exile, reuniting with his wife Liu Yingchun in a tale woven with longing and misunderstanding. It is deeply moving. The play broke the traditional limitation of focusing on vocal prowess over physical performance in the role of a qingyi (female character in Peking Opera), marking a significant innovation in Mei Lanfang's artistic performance, which emphasized singing and dance. These few plays captivated countless American men and women, who marveled at how "even without understanding the words, the heart could grasp the meaning." One person, walking into the dreams of overseas Chinese filled with nostalgia for their homeland, truly embodied the sentiment of "seeing is hard, parting is even harder."—Mei Lanfang's 1929 tour to the United States with Peking Opera became a remarkable chapter in cultural exchange between China and the U.S. As the "editor-in-chief" of this entire endeavor, Qi Rushan describes the ups and downs of the entire process, honoring the contributions of countless renowned figures at the time, both Chinese and foreign, such as (Jeho-Lun Liu), (Huang Enshi), (Li Shizeng), and (Liu Tianhua). Qi Xiang, the author's daughter, meticulously recorded his words, creating a document brimming with academic value and artistic charm. The style is delicate, the emotions profound—this is the essence of the book. Reading it feels like sipping aged wine, leaving one humming a long-forgotten song upon closing the cover.