Deng Meiling / Tang Mei-ling

Biography

Deng Meiling is a Hong Kong Cantonese opera actress specializing in dan (female) roles. She comes from a distinguished Cantonese opera family: her mother Liang Shaotang was a Cantonese opera and song performer, and her uncle Liang Hanwei, aunt Liang Shaoxin, and uncle-in-law Wen Qianjie were all renowned opera stars. She trained at the Bahe Cantonese Opera Academy (1982–1984) under masters such as Wang Yuesheng, Ren Daxun, and Mai Huiwen, and also studied at the Hanfeng Cantonese Opera Research Institute founded by her uncle. She further learned from Peking opera and Kunqu opera masters. In 1987 she co-founded the Feng Chaoyang Troupe with Li Lifen (Gai Minghui). She became a leading female lead (zhengyin huadan) in 2005. She has performed in numerous notable Cantonese operas and stage plays, including the 2022 production "Cantonese Opera Trump," in which she portrayed multiple characters. She serves as a council member of the Hong Kong Bahe Cantonese Opera Association in its 39th and 40th terms.