Peking Opera Research Centre of Hebei Xue Pinggui Returning to His Humble Abode Pei YanlingFour Stylistic Schools of Xiaosheng Roles in Yue Opera Torturing Kouzhu from How a Dead Cat Was Substituted for a New-born Prince  Wu FenghuaFour Stylistic Schools of Xiaosheng Roles in Yue Opera Seeking out His Wife at the Mulberry Orchard and Fortune-telling from He Wenxiu  Zhao ZhigangFour Stylistic Schools of Xiaosheng Roles in Yue Opera The Dream of the Red Chamber  Zhang XiaojunFour Stylistic Schools of Xiaosheng Roles in Yue Opera Fang Qing Visits His Aunt from The Pearl Pagoda  Xu BiaoxinA New Cantonese Opera Investigation to Redress a Wrong  Lee LungA New Cantonese Opera Investigation to Redress a Wrong  Lung Koon-tinA New Cantonese Opera Investigation to Redress a Wrong  Wong Chiu-kwanReverberating Notes from South China Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces  Artistic Director: Leung So-kamReverberating Notes from South China Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces  Yuen Siu-fai, Law Kar-ying, Liu Kwok-sum (left to right)Reverberating Notes from South China Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces    Cheng Wing-mui, Leung Wai-hong, Lai Yiu-wai, Song Hongbo, Li Pui-yan (left to right)Reverberating Notes from South China Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces Leung Chi-kit, Sun Kim-long, Ting Oi-lin (left to right)Reverberating Notes from South China Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces  Ho Ka-yiu, Cheng Man-yee, Wong Hok-chiu, Yuen Tak-man (left to right)Zhejiang Yongjia Kunqu Opera Troupe The Number One Scholar Zhang Xie  Lin Meimei (middle)Yunnan Dian Opera Theatre Going to War from The Lady Generals of the Yang Family  Wang YuzhenExperimental Theatre of Liyuan Opera of Fujian  Chen San and Wuniang  Zeng JingpingHaifeng Baizi Opera Troupe of Guangdong Chrysanthemum  Yu Jincheng (Middle)No.2 Troupe of Yu Opera Theatre of Henan The Breezy Pavilion  Li Shujian (left), Bai Qing (right)

The Art of Kunqu Singing Series

Programme Change

Due to health problem, Mr. Koo Ti-hua and Mr. Zhou Qin will not be able to join the event. The programme is revised as follows. Thank you for your attention.


For many centuries, Kunqu had been a favoured performing art form among the literati of China. Its stock repertory had continued to grow. Some of the notable libretti were written by famous dramatists of the Ming and Qing periods, for example, The Story of the Lute by Gao Ming (1305-1359), The Peony Pavilion by Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), The Palace of Eternal Life by Hong Sheng (1645-1704) etc.. Endorsed by the literati, Kunqu was elevated to fine art and literature status, and not only in terms of libretti writing. It should be interesting to remember that the sung format came before the staging. Thanks to the men-of-letters of the Ming Dynasty like Wei Liangfu (1489-1566) and Liang Chenyu (1521-1594), the Kunqu vocal style continued to improve, finally evolving into the elegant shuimo style that was so popular in high society. The trend continued into the Qing Dynasty, with a rich archive of writings and theories on vocal Kunqu music being amassed over the centuries. From the Ming period up to the present day, the repertoire of famous arias from famous plays was passed down through singing performances. The sung music of Kunqu is different from its staged counterpart in that it emphasizes the vocal techniques and a perfect combination between the lyrics and the music. There is meticulous attention paid to the phonological aspects and how enunciation is tied in with each musical note. As a result of this branch of Kunqu music, the art of Kunqu exists both on the opera stage and off, with singers often engaging in artistic dialogue with professional opera actors. This year’s Chinese Opera Festival will present two vocal concerts and three sessions of a one-day forum under The Art of Kunqu Singing Series, to give the audience different angles to appreciate the art of Kunqu.

11–12  July (Fri–Sat)7:30 pm

Theatre, Yau Ma Tei Theatre

Kunqu Vocal Concert

11 July (Fri)7:30 pm
performers Gan Wenxuan (Shanghai), Ouyang Qiming (Beijing), Wang Xiaodan (Nanjing), Anna Chen Wu (United States), Chen Bin (Taiwan), Cheung Lai-chun (Hong Kong), Chan Chun-miu (Hong Kong), Zhao Wei (Shanghai), Zhao Yifan (Shanghai), Sun Yanhong (Suzhou), Hei Jiayan (Beijing)


12 July (Sat)7:30 pm
performers Cai Zhengren, Zhang Jiqing, Wang Shiyu, Liang Guyin, Yao Jikun, Huang Xiaowu, Wang Weijian, Li Hongliang, Gong Yinlei, Wu Shuang


accompanied by Musicians from the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre
ticket price

$240 (Per concert)

  • With Chinese surtitles
  • Each performance lasts approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
13 July (Sat)

BLOCK 1(THEATRE), Jao Tsung-I Academy

Forum on Kunqu

2:00–3:30pm

The Characteristics of Accompaniment for Kunqu

speakers Wang Jiannong (National Class One Musician),
Dai Peide (National Class One Musician)
moderator Sou Si-tai


4:00–5:30pm

On the Art of Kunqu Singing

speakers Gan Wenxuan, Ouyang Qiming, Wang Xiaodan, Anna Chen Wu,
Chen Bin
moderator Cheung Lai-chun (Kunqu Reseracher)


7:30–9:00pm

Virtuosi on Kunqu Singing

speakers Cai Zhengren, Zhang jiqing, Wang Shiyu, Liang Guyin, Yao Jikun, Huang Xiaowu
moderator Cheng Pei-kai (Visiting Professor, Chinese Civilisation Center, City University of Hong Kong)

  • In Putonghua & Cantonese
  • Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Jao Tsung-I Academy

Address 800 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon
Enquiries 2100 2828
Website www.jtia.hk

Cai Zhengren

Famous Kunqu virtuoso Cai Zhengren is a National Class One Performer and former Company Director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe. He was among the first batch of artists who completed their training in Kunqu at the Shanghai Opera School in 1961. He specialises in xiaosheng (civil male) roles, and is particularly known for his guansheng (government official role) interpretations, being taught by maestros Yu Zhenfei, Shen Chuanzhi and Zhou Chuanying. His vocal techniques are distinguished by brilliant overtones with well-charged support, and he is able to command a wide range and deliver compelling emotions. Cai has won the 4th Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre in 1986, Outstanding Achievement Award at the Shanghai Culture and Literature Festival in 1989 with his performance in The Palace of Eternal Life, and was the top honoree for Outstanding Performance at the 13th Wenhua Awards in 2010.



Zhang Jiqing

Famous Kunqu virtuoso Zhang Jiqing is the Honorary Director of the Kunqu Theatre of Jiangsu, a National Class One Performer and winner of the 1st Plum Blossom Award for Theatre. She was trained under highly venerable artists of the orthodox school such as You Caiyun, Zeng Changsheng et al. Zhang is recognised for her versatility of roles, and a vocal style that is a fine mix of strength and soft femininity. She is meticulous in honing her art, and over the decades, has created many memorable stage personae in dan (female) roles. She has the nickname of “Zhang with three dreams” because she has made famous three operatic excerpts, Waking from a Dream, In Search of a Dream and The Infatuated Dream through her compelling interpretations. She has been the Chief Artistic Adviser to Pai Hsien-yung’s production of The Peony Pavilion – Youth Version in 2004.



Wang Shiyu

Famous Kunqu virtuoso Wang Shiyu is the former Director of Troupe, a National Class One Performer and a recipient of the 3rd Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. He was a student of the renowned Kunqu artist Zhou Chuanying, specializing in the jinsheng (male scholar) roles which has earned him the accolade as the ‘Top artist for Kunqu jinsheng roles’ in China and abroad. He also commands a fine repertoire of the other sheng (male) roles, such as guansheng (crown-wearing male) and pisheng. He has been the Artistic Director and Director-in-Chief to Pai Hsien-yung’s production of The Peony Pavilion – Youth Version in 2004.



Liang Guyin

Famous Kunqu virtuoso Liang Guyin is a National Class One Performer and was among the first batch of artists who completed their training in Kunqu at the Shanghai Opera School in 1961. She specializes in huadan (female leading), but is also adept in the zhengdan (orthodox female) and guimendan (highborn female) roles, an achievement that has won her the praise as an ‘all-round actor’ in Kunqu. Endowed with a sweet voice, she has acquired a rich repertoire from her training with the senior artists of the ‘Chuan’ generation - Zhang Chuanfang, Zhu Chuanming and Shen Chuanzhi, and she interprets each persona with insight. She has won the 3rd Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre, the Lead Actor Award in Performing Arts at the first Magnolia Awards for Theatre in Shanghai and an Outstanding Achievements Award at the Shanghai Cultural and Arts Festival in 1989 with her performance in The Golden Lotus, and the 5th Magnolia Award for Lead Actor in 1993.



Yao Jikun

Famous Kunqu artist Yao Jikun trained in laosheng (old man) and guansheng (government official) roles under the senior artists of the ‘Chuan’ generation - Shen Chuanzhi, Zheng Chuanjian and Ni Chuanyue, and was coached by the famous Kunqu singers in Suzhou, Song Xuanzhi, Yao Xuanyu and Wu Zhongpei. He has benefitted from their coaching and acquired a repertoire of many excerpts from the traditional plays. He performs with a compellingly strong image yet at the same time conveys a scholarly charm. His delivery of lines and vocal skills abide by the traditional form. He is best known for his memorable performance as Zhu Maichen in Lanke Mountain, co-starring Zhang Jiqing.



Huang Xiaowu

Famous Kunqu artist Huang Xiaowu is a National Class One Performer specialized in laosheng (old male) roles. He was trained by Kunqu virtuosi Bao Chuanduo, Zheng Chuanjian, Ni Chuanyue, and coached by Zhou Chuanying. He has a mellow and robust voice, sings with clear diction, and performs with a naturalistic style. He has won of the 9th Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre, and is best known for his characterization in At the Tavern from The Palace of Eternal Life, Testing Cao Cao with the Sword from The Chain Scheme, Sweeping Pine from The Story of The Story of the Lute and Drafting the Edict from Death of a Thousand Loyal Souls.



Wang Weijian

Famous Kunqu artist Wang Weijian is a National Class One Performer. She specializes in laodan (old woman) and zhengdan (orthodox female) roles, having been trained by Song Hengzhi, Song Xuanzhi and Wang Chuanqu. She is known for her luminous voice and charmingly nuanced vocalizing techniques. She has brought to life many old woman roles such as as Nanny Liu in Cancelling the Birthday Celebrations from The Pavilion of Chanting in the Wind, Lady Cui in Interrogating Hongniang from The Story of the West Chamber, and the female pimp in The Female Pimp from A Romance of Pear Blossoms.



Li Hongliang

Li Hongliang is a National Class One Performer specialised in chou (comic) and fu (supporting) roles, and is currently Director of the Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Institute. He graduated from the Jiangsu Theatre School in 1985, where he trained under such virtuosi as Zhou Chuancang, Fan Jixin, Yao Jisun, Liu Yilong, Wang Shiyao and Zhang Jidie. Li gives vivid performances with insight, humour and wit, and shows his solid groundwork training to the full. His repertoire includes such comic roles as Monk Benwu in Leaving the Monastery from A Sea of Sins, Wu the Elder in Parading the Streets from The Story of Heroes, and the ugly girl Zhan Aijuan in A Mistake Made by the Kite. Li’s awards and accolades include an Outstanding Performance Award at the 5th Jiangsu Theatre Festival, a Performance Award at the 1st Kunqu Opera Festival of China, and the 26th Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre in 2011.



Gong Yinlei

Gong Yinlei is a National Class One Performer trained under Kunqu artists Zhang Jiqing and Hu Jinfang. She has a charming and beautiful persona, an elegant presence and a vocal style that exemplifies the best in the traditional style. She won critical acclaim with her performance in The Peony Pavilion, The Peony Pavilion and The Injustice Done to Dou E. She has won the Orchid Award for Outstanding Performance at the 1st National Kunqu Opera Performance, a Gold Award for Outstanding Performance at the 4th Kunqu Festival of China, and a Gold Award at the 2nd ‘Red Prunus’ Awards for Chinese Traditional Theatre in Jiangsu.



Wu Shuang

Wu Shuang is a National Class One Performer specialized in jing (painted face) roles. He was among the third batch of artists completing the Kunqu Performers’ Training Course, and is a Language graduate of the East China Normal University. He trained in Kunqu performance under Fang Yang, Zhong Weide and Wang Qun. Wu has a sonorous voice and a commanding stage presence. He was the winner of the ‘Red Prunus’ Gold Award at the first Chinese Traditional Theatre Singing Competition and Outstanding Cultural Talent Award presented by the Shanghai Cultural Talents Fund in 2009, and was named one of the ‘Ten Best Performers’ at the All China Outstanding Young Actors Showcase in 2007.



Gan Wenxuan

Gan Wenxuan is the Chairperson of the Shanghai Kunqu Society. She was exposed to the art form at an early age because her father, Gan Gongsan, was a well-known Kunqu singer. She was trained in Kunqu singing under Shi Guilin, Xu Jinhu and Li Jinshou, and was taught the excerpt Wandering in the Garden from The Peony Pavilion by the legendary Aisin Gioro Pudong. Later she furthered her training in the art under You Caiyun for three years, specializing in dan (female) roles but also expanded her repertoire by learning those of xiaosheng (young civil male), loasheng (old man) and damian (full painted face) roles. In 1956, she joined the Shanghai Kunqu Society founded by Zhao Jingshen, where she was coached by the artists of the ‘Chuan’ generation - Shen Chuanzhi, Fang Chuanyun, Zhang Chuanfang and Wang Chuanqu. She has been invited to teach Kunqu singing by the Kunqu societies of the Fudan University of Shanghai, its School of Pharmacy, as well as the Tongji University.



Ouyang Qiming

Ouyang Qiming is the Chairperson of the Beijing Kunqu Society. She graduated from the Waseda University of Japan. She is currently a professor at the Capital Normal University, a supervisor on its doctoral degree programme, and Deputy Head of its Centre for Chinese Traditional Theatre Studies. She joined the Beijing Kunqu Society in 1979 when Yu Pingbo was the Chairperson at that time, and received vocal music training under Zhou Quan’an, Ma Xianglin and Wang Chuanqu. Other than singing vocal music, she also learned to perform on stage.



Wang Xiaodan

Wang Xiaodan is the Chairperson of the Kunqu Society of Nanjing. She was born into a family of artists in Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera. Her maternal grandfather, Gan Gongsan, was a famous artist in Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera with the accolade ‘the King of Dizi South of the Yangtze’. In 1954, Gan and Wu Mei, Qiu Laizhi et al founded the Kunqu Society of Nanjing to research the art of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera with the luminaries of the time - Aisin Gioro Putong, Mei Lanfang and Yu Zhenfei. Wang Xiaodan’s father, Wang Jianyun, was trained under the great Mei Lanfang himself. Under the early artistic influence of her family and circle of reputed artist friends, Wang was able to learn the best of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera from the top names of the time. She is currently President of the JingKun Operatic Arts Research Centre based in the Former Residence of Gan Xi (which is part of the Nanjing Folk Museum), President of the Mei Lanfang JingKun Arts Society of Nanjing, and a director of the Kunqu and Guqin Research Society of China.



Anna Chen

Anna Chen is the President of the Kunqu Society, U.S.. She graduated from the National Taiwan Normal University, and during her undergraduate years, she joined the Kunqu Society where she learned Kunqu singing from Wang Ching-Chang and Hsia Hwan-Hsin. Later she joined the Peng-Ying Song Art Club where she was coached by Chiao Cheng-Yun. She furthered her training in vocal skills and delivery of lines as well as dizi playing under Chang Chung in 1967. In 1991, she joined the Kunqu Society, U.S., in New York where she benefitted from the coaching of Kunqu singing artists in the United States - Shi Jiehua, Wang Taiqi, Le Yiping and Wen Yuhang et al.



Chen Pin

Chen Pin is the Associate Company Director and Artistic Director of Shuimo Kun Opera Troupeof Taiwan. She began learning Kunqu in 1969 in Taipei, first with her specialism in dan (female) roles under ‘the King of Dizi’ Hsu Yan-Chi and Chang Shan-Hsiang before expanding her repertoire to xiaosheng (young civil male) roles by receiving training under Zhou Zhigang of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe in 1994. She has been an instructor at the Kunqu societies of many higher institutes in Taiwan, including the National Taiwan University, the National Chengchi University, Soochow University and Fu Jen Catholic University, as well as the Kunqu Society of the Taipei Municipal Zhong-Lin High School and the Chinese Opera Society of Ming Chuan University. She conducted Kunqu programmes at the Taipei National University of the Arts, Tainan National University of the Arts, Yuan Ze University and the National Yangmei Senior High School. She is currently part-time Associate Professor at the Graduate Institute of Theatre Performance and Playwriting of Taipei National University of the Arts.



Zhou Qin

Zhou Qin is a Professor in the Department of Chinese of the Soochow University, Jiangsu and a supervisor on its doctoral programme. He was exposed to the artistic influence of his family since a very young age, and has an in-depth knowledge of Chinese poetry and prose as well as the use of rhyming patterns. He is also adept in playing the dizi for accompaniment according to the scores. He graduated from the Jiangsu Normal College (now the Soochow University) in 1982, where he trained under Qian Zhonglian. He was the faculty chair of Kunqu Arts course of the University in 1989, and was appointed Deputy Head of Administration of its China Kunqu Research Centre in 2001. In that capacity, he has conducted international symposia on Kunqu, and is the editor of the Chinese Kunqu Forum year book. He has been the Principal Adviser on Singing and Delivery of Lines in Pai Hsien-yung’s The Peony Pavilion – Youth Version since 2003.



Koo Ti-hua

Koo Ti-hua developed an interest in Chinese traditional theatre when he was young. He received his first training in Peking Opera through private lessons by famous virtuosi in the circle while he was in elementary school. By the 1950s and 60s, he was introduced to Kunqu singing by learning under the leading light of the genre in Nanjing, Mr Gan Gongsan, while concurrently continued his training in xiaosheng (young civil male) roles in Peking Opera under Zhang Shusheng, a disciple of the legendary Aisin Gioro Pudong. Koo became a formal disciple of Yu Zhenfei, the top name in both art forms of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera, in 1979, which made him the first ever overseas mentee of Maestro Yu. In performing, Koo shows the scholarly traits of his mentor’s style, and his excellence ha won him the accolade s the ‘number on amateur vocal artist (of JingKun arts) of China’. He is a staunch supporter of the two art forms, and has founded the Koo Ti-hua Foundation for the Promotion of Kunqu Opera to aid in the development of Kunqu, and to salvage and pass on the traditional repertory that is on the verge of permanent loss, he has published Sulu Qupu, which are the unrecorded Kunqu scores used by Maestro Yu Zhenfei, and Zhongguo Kunqu Jingpin Jicui (Gems of Kunqu), in both video and recording formats, in six volumes.



Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei is a member of the Shanghai Kunqu Society, and has been learning Kunqu singing under the famous singers of the art form Liu Xuantu, Chen Hongliang, Ye Huinong and Gan Wenxuan. He has acquired a repertoire of jinsheng (male scholar) and daguansheng (older crown-wearing male). He has partnered with Ms Gan Wenxuan in performing the operatic excerpts, On Broken Bridge and Rendezvous in the Mansion, and with Ms Wang Xiaodan in Waking from a Dream.



Zhao Yifan

Zhao Yifan is a member of the Shanghai Kunqu Society. He developed a passion for Peking Opera at a young age, and in 2001, was first introduced to the art of laosheng roles in Kunqu. Later he benefitted from the coaching of Kunqu singers Chen Hongliang, Li Kaidong, Gan Wenxuan and Jin Ruihua. He trained in vocal and line delivery under Ni Chuanyue. He can also play the qudi and bangu as an accompanying ensemble artist.



Sun Yanhong

Sun Yanhong first learned Kunqu singing at the Suzhou Kunqu Society. She received pointers in Kunqu singing from Yao Zhizeng and Cai Binqiu in jinsheng (male scholar) roles. She can also play the dizi as an accompanying ensemble artist. She joined the Xinhe Kunqu Society of Suzhou in 2005.



He Jiayan

He Jiayan is the former Chairman of the Zilan Kunqu Society of Beijing. She trained in Kunqu singing under Zhu Fu, a Kunqu singer in Beijing, and joined the Beijing Kunqu Society in 2011. On completing her studies, she returned to Shanghai and came under the tutelage of Hu Baodi of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, at the same time being coached by the famous Kunqu singers Gan Wenxuan and Jin Ruihua.



Cheung Lai-chun

Cheung Lai-chun is the Chairperson of the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong. She first learned Kunqu singing from Le Yiping in 1988, and began academic studies of Chinese sung music under two experts, Wang Zhenglai from Nanjing and Zhu Fu from Beijing. She is a driving force behind the art of Kunqu singing, working as a part-time lecturer at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of the Hong Kong Baptist University where she teaches the art of Kunqu, and a Kunqu instructor in the Chinese Opera Information Centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Chinese Civilisation Centre of the City University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture. Kunqu aside, in recent years, she has been dedicated to the exploration of the art of singing Chinese ancient songs as well, such as ci poems of Song and qin songs. Her CD recordings include The Vocalisation of the Ci Poems of Jiang Kui and A New Edition of the “Jiugong Dacheng Nanbeici Gongpu” with Exegeses.



Michael C.M. Chan

Michael C.M. Chan is the Vice-Chairperson of the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong. He holds two Master’s degrees, one from the University of Hong Kong and the other from Soochow University. He received Kunqu singing training from Koo Siu-sun, Cheung Lai-chun and Zhou Qin, and has benefitted from the coaching of professional artists in the field such as Wang Shiyu, Yue Meiti and Zhu Fu. As a researcher in Kunqu in Hong Kong, Chan has been on the faculty of the City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has performed Kunqu singing, sung versions of ci poems of the Song Dynasty, and self-accompanied singing of qin songs. He has a recording on CD, A New Annotated Edition of the “Jiugong Dacheng Nanbeici Gongpu” with Exegeses.