A China Central Television documentary is ready to, in CCTV's head Hu Zhanfan's words, make international audiences fall in love with Peking Opera.

Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang made his Broadway debut on Feb 16, 1930, a key moment in Western appreciation of the art form.

In commemoration of Mei, the documentary premiered on May 23 at the Mei Lanfang Theater.

Divided into eight episodes, each named after a classic play, the documentary "thoroughly and critically displays the changes, living environment, aesthetic features and value orientation of Peking Opera" in the past 200 years, said Song Guanlin, head of China National Peking Opera Company.

CCTV's editor-in-chief Luo Ming said it also reflected the social development and changes at the time of the entire country.

The documentary will run from June 3 to10.