The "Mei dynasty" of Peking Opera has come to an end. The heir to China's best-known opera clan, Mei Baojiu, died in hospital on Monday morning. The 82-year-old Mei was the youngest son of Mei Lanfang, China's legendary opera artist. Both father and son played Dan, or female roles.

As head of the Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe, Mei Baojiu trained the next generations of artists and during his 70 years on stage, took 70 disciples. Mei Baojiu was married to Lin Liyuan, but the couple has no children. His older sister, Mei Baoyue, also a gifted opera artist, played mostly Sheng, or male roles. And she, too, didn't leave behind any children. This means no descendant of Mei Lanfang is still with Peking Opera today.

Peking Opera, or Jingju, as it is called in Putonghua, has become a powerful trademark. Jing means capital, ju a stage play. The Mei family had always insisted that it's jing, not yang - from xiyang - meaning Western. It's Chinese culture that makes it distinct.