Extension Activities

Chinese Opera Film Shows

Meet-the-Artists

Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera

Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera

Talks and Masterclasses of Northern Kunqu Opera

Demonstration Performance of Peking Opera

Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series

Exhibition

Chinese Opera Films

Cantonese Operatic Song Films

Chinese Opera Films

The Chinese Opera Festival will once again fish for treasures from the sea of Chinese opera films. Apart from films on the Shanghai-style and Qi School of Peking Opera, which will be the focus of the film shows, films about the Monkey King, Bony Demon and Mu Guiying will be featured.

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

7/8 (Wed) 7:30pm
Wu Song (1963)
Starring: Gai Jiaotian, Zhang Youfu, Ai Shiju
Directors: Ying Yunwei, Yu Zhongying
Colour / 118 mins
Lyrics with Simplified Chinese Subtitles
Price: $70

14/8 (Wed) 7:30pm
The Stage Craft of Zhou Xinfang (1961)
Starring: Zhou Xinfang, Wang Zhikui, Zhao Xiaolan, Wang Zhengping
Directors: Ying Yunwei, Yang Xiaozhong
Colour / 103 mins
Lyrics and dialogue with Simplified Chinese subtitles
Price: $70

21/8 (Wed) 7:30pm
Murder in the Oratory (1937)
Starring: Zhou Xinfang, Yuan Meiyun
Director: Fei Mu
B&W / 84 mins
Lyrics and dialogue with Simplified Chinese subtitles
Price: $70

28/8 (Wed) 7:30pm
Mu Guiying Routing Hongzhou (1963)
Starring: Liu Xiurong, Zhang Chunxiao
Directors: Chi Wei, Chen Huaiai
Colour / 132 mins
Lyrics with Simplified Chinese Subtitles
Price: $70

4/9 (Wed) 7:30pm
Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon (1960)
Starring: Liu Lingtong, Xiao Changshun, Qi Lingtong, Fu Machao, Xiao Yanqiu
Directors: Yang Xiaozhong, Yu Zhongying
Colour / 99 mins
Lyrics with Simplified Chinese Subtitles
Price: $70

Source and information provided by China Film Archive

Cantonese Operatic Song Films

To echo with the approach of fusing East and West in Cyrano de Bergerac – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation, the Chinese Opera Film Shows will feature a series of Cantonese Operatic Song films adapted from Western films or classics to entertain Chinese opera fans with fresh alternatives.

Lectue Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum

10/8 (Sat) 7:45pm
Bitter Phoenix, Sorrowful Oriole (1947) +
Starring: Ma Si-tsang, Cheung Yuet-yee, Lam Mui-mui, Lau Hark-suen
Director: Yeung Kung-leong
Screenwriter: Mok Hong-si
B&W / 125 mins
Price: $70

24/8 (Sat) 7:45pm
Prince of Thieves (1958)
Starring: Ho Fei-fan, Mui Yee, Lam Kau, Lee Bo-ying
Director: Luk Bong
Original Story: Chan Tin-tsung
B&W / 92 mins
Lyrics with Traditional Chinese subtitles
Price: $70

31/8 (Sat) 7:45pm
The White Gold Dragon, Part Two (aka The Platinum Dragon, Part Two) (1937) +
Starring: Tong Suet-hing, Wong Man-lei, Lam Mui-mui, Fan Kok-fei
Directors: Sit Kok-sin, Gao Lihen
Screenwriter: Tong Tak-pui
B&W / 111 mins
Price: $70

7/9 (Sat) 7:45pm
My Kingdom for a Husband (1957)
Starring: Tam Lan-hing, Cheung Ying, Leung Sing-por, Ning Meng
Director: Tso Kea
Original Story: Sit Kok-sin
B&W / 124 mins
Lyrics with Traditional Chinese subtitles
Price: $70

14/9 (Sat) 7:45pm
Madam Butterfly (1954)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Chow Kwun-ling, Yee Chau-sui, Wong Cho-san
Director: Chan Pei
Screenwriter: Lee Sau-kei
B&W / 110 mins
Lyrics with Traditional Chinese subtitles
Price: $70

+ Courtesy of Mr Jack Lee Fong of Palace Theatre, San Francisco, USA
Courtesy of Hong Kong Film Archive

Meet-the-Artists

Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required.

3/6 (Mon) 7:30pm Pre-performance Talk on Cyrano de Bergerac – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation Speakers: Law Ka-ying, Liza Wang Moderator: Lam Wai-ting (Cantonese Opera artist) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

16/6 (Sun) After the performance Post-performance Talk on Cyrano de Bergerac – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation Speakers: Law Ka-ying, Liza Wang, Sun Kim Long Moderator: Lam Wai-ting Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese
(Audience members can participate without registration after the performance)

20/6 (Thu) 7:30pm The Artistic Features of North Road Bangzi Opera Speakers: Yang Zhongyi, Cheng Fengying, Jia Fentao, Feng Huiling, Li Ruixing, Du Jianjun Moderator: Chan Chun-miu (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

27/6 (Thu) 7:30pm The Artistic Features of Chiuchow Opera Speakers: Zhang Yihuang, Zhan Shaojun, Lin Yanyun, Lin Chufa Moderator: Chan Chun-miu Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

4/7 (Thu) 7:30pm Upholding Traditions and Innovating: The Artistic Essence of Liuzi Opera Speakers: Chen Yuan, Yang Chunwei Moderator: Chen Liangliang (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

11/7 (Thu) 7:30pm The Legacy and Development of the Yin Guifang Style in Yue Opera Speakers: Wang Junan, Li Min, Zheng Quan, Chen Cuihong, Xing Lihua, Shen Min, Zhang Qianqian, Zhao Yang, Mao Xiaoge, Qiu Jie Moderator: Chen Liangliang Venue: Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District In Putonghua

18/7 (Thu) 7:30pm The Legacy and Performing Styles of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre Speakers: Yang Fengyi, Wei Chunrong, Wang Zhenyi, Yang Fan Moderator: Chan Chun-miu Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

25/7 (Thu) 7:30pm The Legacy and Development of the Art of Contemporary Wu Opera Speaker: Yang Xiayun, Lou Sheng, Chen Lili, Li Xuanyu, Xie Linghui Moderator: Chan Chun-miu Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

27/7 (Sat) 2:30pm The Dissemination and Development of Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre Speakers: Chen Jianxu, Xie Linghui Moderator: Chan Chun-miu Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

1/8 (Thu) 7:30pm On the Artistic Features of the Shanghai-Style and Qi School Speakers: Chen Shaoyun, Fu Xiru, Lu Su Moderator: Hu Guangming (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Putonghua

Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera

Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required.

5/6 (Wed) 7:30pm Interpreting Foreign Literary Classics through Cantonese Opera: A Hong Kong Perspective Since the early 20th century, Cantonese operas in Hong Kong have included storylines and characters adapted from foreign literary classics. Over the past century, there have been several new Cantonese operas with cross-cultural features, although they are relatively few in number. Despite this, they are significant and worthy of attention. At Chinese Opera Festival 2024, a Cantonese Opera adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, a play from late 19^th century France, will be premiered. This talk will explore the inter-cultural journey of Hong Kong Cantonese Opera over the last hundred years, using a selection from past repertory as examples to discuss various dramaturgy strategies. Speaker: Lum Man-yee
(Scholar-educator-critic of Chinese opera) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

11/6 (Tue) 7:30pm Migration and Morphing of Chinese Operatic Genres: A Case Study of Shanghai-Style Peking Opera, Northern Kunqu Opera and Fujian Yue Opera The history of Chinese traditional theatre shows that when a particular genre of performance becomes popular in one region, it often spreads to other regions and takes on unique artistic characteristics. In Chinese Opera Festival 2024, there will be programmes featuring hybridization of three such genres: Shanghai-Style Peking Opera, Northern Kunqu Opera, and Fujian Yue Opera. Peking Opera originated in present-day Beijing, Kunqu Opera in Suzhou's Kunshan, and Yue Opera in Shaoxing's Sheng County and later flourished in Shanghai. This talk will explore how these genres evolved and expanded, i.e., how Peking Opera spread from Beijing to Shanghai, Kunqu Opera from southern China to northern China, and Yue Opera from Shanghai to Fujian. By highlighting specific examples from these genres, the talk will also examine their unique artistic styles. Speaker: Lum Man-yee Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera

Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required.

2/6 (Sun) 3pm A Palace Maid Vowing to Avenge Her Country – Killing the Tiger from The Prophecies of Taoist Monk Iron Headgear Fei Zhen'e is a palace maid with a vengeance - she vows to assassinate King Chuang, but the king marries her off to one of his subordinates nicknamed 'Tiger' instead. On the wedding night, Zhen'e kills Tiger before committing suicide with much regret. In performing the role, the actor playing Zhen'e needs to be seductive and beguiling, while at the same time showing her vengeful heart and murderous will. The alternating emotional states, traditionally referred to in Kunqu as 'two-face', are most prominently displayed in the actor's eye expressions. Singing a Tale of Woe – The Female Narrative Singer from The Story of a Street Vendor Thirteen years after a grave calamity befell the family of Chang'an scholar Li, their wet nurse Zhang Sangu recounts what transpired during the incident through a medley of nine merchant's jingles. Playing the pipa and the snake-skin rattle drum, Sangu vividly describes the tragic event with simple lyrics and a lively rhythm. Matched with exquisite moves and stances, the actor would enthral the audience totally in the horrendous story.

2/6 (Sun) 7pm The Roaring River Flows Eastward – The Sword Banquet Trap from To the Banquet Armed This play is based on the work of Yuan dynasty playwright Guan Hanqing: Lord Guan Yu Meets His Foe Alone, and is one of the few extant Yuan zaju plays preserved on the Kunqu stage. The performance basically follows Guan's original libretto, with tunes that demonstrate characteristics of Northern Kunqu Opera. The lyrics and the music both reflect the style of Yuan dynasty zaju. The best-known performances are accorded to Northern Kunqu Opera father-and-son duo Hou Yongkui and Hou Shaokui.

Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned Kunqu researcher) Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

9/6 (Sun) 3pm A Tearful Last Farewell to Home and Country – Lady Zhaojun Going beyond the Great Wall from The Tomb of Wang Zhaojun The story takes place during the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty. It traces the journey of Wang Qiang (better known as Wang Zhaojun), a palace maid sent by imperial edict to go beyond the Great Wall to marry the barbaric prince in order to secure peace. She is escorted by her brother Wang Long. This is a performance that places a lot of weight on consummate singing and acting skills, with the full set tunes sung by the heroine. The two intermittent verses by Wang Long also require good delivery of spoken lines and acting. Other than these two, the stableboy also has to have good acrobatic skills like summersaults, rolling over, etc. As such, the excerpt is said to be so demanding that it is going to 'cause the death of' Zhaojun because of the singing, Wang Long because of the acting, and the stableboy, because of the somersaulting. To the Corners of the Earth Alone – Fleeing by Night from Lin Chong on the Run The most challenging roles for Kunqu actors in dan (female) and sheng (male) roles are arguably those in operatic excerpts Yearning for the Secular World and Fleeing in the Night respectively. Performance of the latter title underwent many modifications in the years it was passed down through generations of virtuosic actors of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre. Nowadays Fleeing in the Night is a classic piece that allows the wusheng (martial male) actors to demonstrate their martial arts skills to the fullest. Eliciting intense reaction, this riveting one-man martial display makes the audience burn with righteous indignation.

9/6 (Sun) 7pm A Gentle Heart Beneath a Formidable Face – Zhong Kui Marrying His Younger Sister Off from Tian Xia Le – The Story of Zhong Kui and Du Ping In folklore, Zhong Kui is the General of Exorcism in the realm of the living, as well as the dead. Also worshipped as the key constellation of literary prowess, Zhong Kui is talented in both literary and martial matters. In the Kunqu excerpt Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister Off, the physically grotesque Zhong Kui performs exquisite and charming dance moves befitting the lofty bearing of a literatus, creating a visual that intertwines the beautiful with the ugly.

Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

9/6 (Sun) 3pm A Tearful Last Farewell to Home and Country – Lady Zhaojun Going beyond the Great Wall from The Tomb of Wang Zhaojun The story takes place during the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty. It traces the journey of Wang Qiang (better known as Wang Zhaojun), a palace maid sent by imperial edict to go beyond the Great Wall to marry the barbaric prince in order to secure peace. She is escorted by her brother Wang Long. This is a performance that places a lot of weight on consummate singing and acting skills, with the full set tunes sung by the heroine. The two intermittent verses by Wang Long also require good delivery of spoken lines and acting. Other than these two, the stableboy also has to have good acrobatic skills like summersaults, rolling over, etc. As such, the excerpt is said to be so demanding that it is going to 'cause the death of' Zhaojun because of the singing, Wang Long because of the acting, and the stableboy, because of the somersaulting. To the Corners of the Earth Alone – Fleeing by Night from Lin Chong on the Run The most challenging roles for Kunqu actors in dan (female) and sheng (male) roles are arguably those in operatic excerpts Yearning for the Secular World and Fleeing in the Night respectively. Performance of the latter title underwent many modifications in the years it was passed down through generations of virtuosic actors of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre. Nowadays Fleeing in the Night is a classic piece that allows the wusheng (martial male) actors to demonstrate their martial arts skills to the fullest. Eliciting intense reaction, this riveting one-man martial display makes the audience burn with righteous indignation.

Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre In Cantonese

Talks and Masterclasses of Northern Kunqu Opera

Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrolment in the masterclasses is limited to sit-in participation only. Online registration is required.

19/5 (Sun) 2:30pm The Classic Repertory of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre and Their Characteristic Charm Speaker: Chan Chun-miu (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: Resources Centre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block G In Cantonese

24/5 (Fri) 7pm The Tragic Romance of The Palace of Eternal Life Speakers: Wang Zhenyi, Shao Tianshuai Moderator: Chen Liangliang (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: Theatre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block I In Putonghua

25/5 (Sat) 2:30pm Masterclass on Kunqu Opera, with Disaster Strikes from The Palace of Eternal Life as a Classic Example Maters: Wang Zhenyi, Shao Tianshuai Moderator: Dr Cui Wendong (Chinese opera researcher) Venue: Theatre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block I In Putonghua

26/5 (Sun) 10am Kunqu Vocal Masterclass (1) Vocal Features of the Guimendan Role in Kunqu as Exemplified by an Extract from The Story of the Jade Hairpin Master: Gu Weiying Moderator: Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned Kunqu researcher) Venue: Resources Centre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block G In Putonghua

26/5 (Sun) 2:30pm Kunqu Vocal Masterclass (2) Vocal Features of the Jing Role in Kunqu as Exemplified by an Extract from To the Banquet Armed Master: Yang Fan Moderator: Chan Chun-miu Venue: Resources Centre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block G In Putonghua

22/7 (Mon) 5pm The Timeless Song of the Rainbow Dress from The Palace of Eternal Life and Su Wu Herding Sheep Speaker: Yuan Guoliang, Weng Jiahui Ensemble: The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre Ensemble Venue: Theatre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block I In Putonghua

Theatre, Jao Tsung-I Academy 800 Castle Peak Road, Mei Foo, Kowloon Coordinator The Hong Kong Institute Promotion of Chinese Culture and Jao Tsung-I Academy

26/5 (Sun) 10am Kunqu Vocal Masterclass (1) Vocal Features of the Guimendan Role in Kunqu as exemplified by an extract from The Story of the Jade Hairpin Master: Gu Weiying Moderator: Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned Kunqu researcher) Venue: Resources Centre, Jao Tsung-I Academy Block G In Putonghua

Theatre, Jao Tsung-I Academy 800 Castle Peak Road, Mei Foo, Kowloon

Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series

Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series is a brand new attempt tailor-made for students to engage in our Festival events. Special performance sessions include Chinese Opera Festival's programmes by Academy of Xinzhou Studies and Centre for the Safeguarding of Liuzi Opera of Shandong. 'Chinese Opera En Route to Campus' is a touring programme for schools which includes lively introduction on the art of Chinese opera as well as demonstration performances. The interactive format of presentation aims to open up new arenas for students to experience Chinese arts and culture.

Academy of Xinzhou Studies

23/6 (Sun) 2:30pm
Father and Son Both Received Appointment
Main Cast: Jia Fentao, Yang Zhongyi, Cheng Fengying, Zhang Yuping,
Li Wenmei, Zhang Xiaoling, Feng Huiling

Centre for the Safeguarding of Liuzi Opera of Shandong

7/7 (Sun) 2:30pm
Excerpt Telling What Happened During the Hunt from The Story of the White Rabbit
Main Cast: Chen Yanmiao, Zhou Jinwei, Xia Yan

Excerpt The Devastated Mother on the Loss of Her Son from The Cosmic Talisman
Main Cast: Liu Haixia, Yin Chunli

Excerpt The Battle at Huangsangdian from Advancing onto Dengzhou
Main Cast: Wang Shuchang, Chai Bo

Excerpt The Hunt from The Golden Arrow as Matchmaker
Main Cast: Yin Chunyuan, Li Hao

Excerpt Rendezvous on the Boat after the Fair
Main Cast: Chen Yuan, Zhou Jinwei, Wang Rui

Excerpt The Eight Mallets
Main Cast: Hou Miaomiao

Enquiries: cp2@lcsd.gov.hk

Chinese Opera En Route to Campus

10 Chinese opera campus tour and mobile exhibitions
Late June to Early July
10 secondary schools

In Cantonese

Chinese Opera Film Show

Early September
Secondary and primary schools

Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon (1960)
Starring: Liu Lingtong, Xiao Changshun, Qi Lingtong, Fu Machao, Xiao Yanqiu
Directors: Yang Xiaozhong, Yu Zhongying
Colour / 99 mins
Lyrics with Simplified Chinese Subtitles

Source and information provided by China Film Archive

Demonstration Performance of Peking Opera

3/8 (Sun) 5:30pm Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company Extracts of Picking Up the Jade Bracelet Main Cast: Yang Yang, Yang Nan, Wang Dun Venue: Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Free admission.

Artistic Essence Everlasting —
Chinese Opera Festival Photo Exhibition

Time flies and in a split second's time, the Chinese Opera Festival has already shared 11 vibrant summers with the audience, and proudly enters its 12^th edition this year. The Festival is included as a core programme of the inaugural Chinese Culture Festival. Over the years, the Festival has showcased over 300 opera performances, having engaged over 7000 performers from all regions of the Mainland to demonstrate their skills, participate in productions, and deliver outstanding performances. The Festival has gathered numerous outstanding maestros into the territory who never fail to shine brightly on stage. Such inheritance of past glamour not only limited to the exquisite traditional Chinese opera arts on stage but has extended to achieve a strong resonance among the audiences, allowing generations of opera lovers to appreciate the profound impact of Chinese cultural arts.

This photo exhibition features a fine selection of memorable moments from past performances on stage. It revisits the captivating brilliance of top-notch Chinese opera artists from various genres such as Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, Cantonese Opera, Yue Opera, and regional operas. It puts on display countless awe-inspiring scenes that have left audiences astonished in the theaters. Let us immerse ourselves in this splendid visual feast of renowned masters and reminisce on unforgettable moments of their stage work together. Through looking back on the past, may we envision the future, and anticipate more spectacular performances in the upcoming Chinese Opera Festival.