Mei Lanfang's voice in new vinyl

Mei Baojiu (1934-2016) tests out the vinyl records in this file photo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A collection of vinyl records of the late Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang has been released.

It contains 64 pieces performed by him from 1920 to 1960, including the famous Feng Huan Chao (Return of the Phoenix to the Nest), Mulan Cong Jun (Hua Mulan Joins the Army) and Gui Fei Zui Jiu (The Drunken Beauty).

Beijing-based Zhongkehuijin Digital Technology has published them. It took the company five years to collect and repair the old records, said Xiong Zhiyuan, founder and manager.

The records have been dedicated to Mei Baojiu, Mei Lanfang's youngest son, who was a prominent Peking Opera singer himself.

From 2009, Xiong's team has restored more than 20,000 songs and musical works of renowned Chinese musicians, including those by late composers Xian Xinghai and Nie Er.

"We want to let people know how vinyl is supposed to sound like and what great art we had," said Xiong.

A concert showcasing classic Peking Opera pieces will be held on Dec 10 at the old Sanqingyuan Opera House in Beijing's Qianmen area.

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