An exhibition on Chinese operatic culture is now underway in Moscow. It was organized to remember the historic visit to Russia by one of the luminaries of Peking Opera, Mei Lanfang.

Most of the exhibits, including costumes and props, were gifts that Peking Opera Maestro Mei Lanfang presented to the museum on his visit to Moscow in the 1930's.

Born in 1894, Mei Lanfang was a legendary performer of Peking Opera, where he became famous for female roles.

Mei Lanfang and his opera Troupe performed in the former Soviet Union in March 1935. His performances were warmly received in Moscow and Leningrad, which is now known as Saint Petersburg. Mei Lanfang became a household name in the two cities.

The exhibition at the Russia National Opera Museum pays tribute to those performances which left a deep imprint of the ancient Chinese performing art on the Russian people.

The exhibits take museum visitors on a wonderful journey through China's centuries-old operatic tradition.

(CCTV February 18, 2009)