Mei Baojiu (FILE)

Mei Baojiu, a famous Peking opera performer and son of Mei Lanfang, a legendary Chinese theater mogul, died at the age of 82 in Beijing.

Mei fell into a coma following a bronchial spasm and died at 11 a.m. in the hospital, according to the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing.

Born on March 29, 1934 in Shanghai, Mei Baojiu was the ninth child and successor of Mei Lanfang, one of the most respected Chinese artists of the 20th century and creator of the "Mei School" style of Peking opera.

Mei Baojiu was the head of Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe under the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing. He was famous for his performance in such classical plays as Farewell My Concubine, Lady General Mu Takes Command, and The Drunken Beauty.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2016)