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The star-studded Mei Lanfang Company of the Peking Opera Troupe of Beijing, named after Peking Opera maestro Mei Lanfang, will tour Hong Kong for four performances in January.
With an array of national class one performers and award-winners, including Mei Baojiu, Ye Shaolan, Li Hongtu and Dong Yuanyuan, the company will showcase classic Peking opera repertoire at 7.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (January 5, 6 and 7, 2007) and 2.30pm on January 7 at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre.
The company is the only national class performing group named after an individual in China. With a history of more than 80 years, its famous repertoire includes "The Drunken Royal Concubine"; "King Chu Bids Farewell to His Favourite Concubine" and "The Return of the Phoenix to the Nest". It has toured the US, the UK, Italy, Japan, Russia and Canada to critical acclaim.
Mei Baojiu, the son of Mei Lanfang, is a national class one performer and company director of the Peking Opera Troupe of Beijing. He was trained in the art by his father and other famous artists at a very young age. A gifted artist endowed with a clear, sweet voice, Mei has excellent delivery, easy control over his vocal techniques and an elegant stage persona that resembles his father's. His exceptional style is the very essence of the Mei (Lanfang) school, of which he is considered the most representative exponent. He was presented with the "Asia's Best Artist Award" by the New York Lincoln Center.
Performances by the Mei Lanfang Company of the Peking Opera Troupe of Beijing, with simplified surtitles in English, are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets ranging from $100 to $300 are now available at URBTIX outlets, while senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients can have 50% off (limited quotas for students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount applies to Friends of LCSD performing venues. There will also be group booking discounts: 10% for four to nine tickets, 15% for 10 to 19 tickets, 20% for 20 tickets or more.
For enquiries about the programmes, call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, November 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:49
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