"Taizhen Waizhuan holds special significance for this tour, not only because of the CD I received from my teacher, but because it also marks the 100th anniversary of its premiere," says Lu. "The piece represents the pinnacle of Mei Lanfang's artistry."

"The piece is relentless," Lu says. "From beginning to end, you are inside the character. You sing, you move, you dance. There is no moment to rest."

For this tour, she has even reconstructed the movement Nishang Yuyi Wu (Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe Dance), bringing Yang's mesmerizing dance to life on stage. The dance is said to have been the legendary concubine's performance to captivate the emperor, and Lu's reinvention infuses the 200-year-old art form with new life while preserving the essence of the Mei style.