Mei Baojiu, a renowned master of Peking Opera, accepted the invitation from Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI)’s President Professor Lei Heong Iok to visit Macao and the Institute in June for the second time, while they were both attending this year’s National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (NPC & CPPCC) just a little more than a month ago. Mei was set to stage an unprecedented performance of Peking Opera at MPI’s upcoming graduation ceremony in June to give his well wishes to graduates who are about to spread their wings and devote their services to society. The sudden and shocking news of Mei’s death due to illness yesterday (25th April) has caused great grief for everyone at MPI and for all those who love him dearly.

Mei Baojiu, whose father Mei Lanfang was a legendary Peking Opera maestro, was born in Shanghai on 29th March 1934. As an inheritor of ‘Mei school’ style, he was the head of Mei Lanfang Peking opera troupe under the Peking Opera Theatre.

Mei enunciated the rhyme of each song with his sweet and clear voice. His elegant and graceful performance, stage persona and singing closely resembled that of his father’s. His sophistication in the arts was achieved with a solid foundation in Peking Opera. Mei was presented with ‘Asia's Best Artist Award’ in 1989 by the New York Lincoln Centre, and in 2009 he won ‘Maestro Award’ and ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ issued by the World Artists Association. In 2015, he received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at China's 15th Huading Awards. Mei enjoyed extraordinary success as one of the world's top performers in Peking Opera.

Mei had travelled around China and abroad to stage performances throughout the years on numerous occasions, and was also heavily involved in the exchange of arts to pass on and promote the ‘Mei art’ to those at home and beyond. During the NPC & CPPCC of 2009, Mei Baojiu accepted the invitation of MPI’s President Professor Lei Heong Iok to visit Macao from 16 to 21st November in the same year to attend events in memory of his father's 115th anniversary as well as to mark the 10th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China. Mei was the guest of honour at banquets given by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR and Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR. Mei Baojiu enthralled the audience with his spectacular performance at the two shows staged at Macao Cultural Centre in 2009. Many in Macao have expressed how lucky they had been to attend this unsurpassed demonstration of the art of ‘Mei school’ Peking Opera so close to home.

Mei Baojiu devoted his life to extend the legacy of ‘Mei school’ Peking Opera to the next generations. Apart from having taught 36 disciples, Mei also diligently promoted the art of Peking Opera as China’s national heirloom to young people. Having given a talk with the title ‘The Mei Style of Peking Opera Art’ at MPI as part of the Institute’s distinguished lecturers' seminar series, Mei fulfilled his idea of introducing the art form of Peking Opera to campus and received due attention among Macao's cultural circles. Following news of Mei’s death, there has been an outpouring of grief and shock from the MPI community as teachers and students were eagerly anticipating the chance to see the great Peking Opera master perform on campus once again.

Macao Polytechnic Institute wishes to express heartfelt condolences over the death of Mei Baojiu, acclaimed Peking Opera master. May his artistry live on forever!