ZHENGZHOU, June 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Noted Chinese Henan Opera actress Chang Xiangyu, hailed as the "Empress of Henan Opera", died on Tuesday, ending her legendary life on the stage which earned her great popularity. She was 81.

    Chang died in Henan Province People's Hospital in Zhengzhou City, the provincial capital, at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday after failing to respond to medical treatment, doctors at the hospital said.

    Born in the province's Gongxian County in 1923, Chang first learned Henan Opera under her father and won stage fame at the age13, when she acted the part of a lively maid in the "Story of WestChamber".

    She has since created dozens of characters varying from an ancient women general to a then common person in the People's Commune.

    "Hua Mulan", one of her best appreciated operas depicting a legendary heroine from around 1,500 years ago, was filmed in 1956 and shot by US filmmaker Disney half a century later and is still popular.

    As she developed a unique performing style, Chang Xiangyu has been regarded as a symbol of Henan Opera.

    Chang served as president of Henan Opera Theater of Henan Province, member of the China National Federation of Literary and Art Circles and vice-president of the Chinese Dramatists' Association.

    Chang Xiangyu enjoyed the fame as "Empress of Henan Opera" withher splendid acting skills. She was honored the award of "LifetimeAchievement of Art of the Best Artists in Asia" in 1994. Enditem