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Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Chinese Opera Festival 2010 brings to Hong Kong patrons "Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing - A Virtuoso Showcase of Yue Opera Classics". Virtuosi Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying, Chen Fei and guest performers Xie Qunying and Xu Ming will demonstrate the appeal of Yue opera in June.
Yue opera originated in Sheng County in Zhejiang, which in ancient Chinese history was the state of Yue; hence the name. Yue opera first developed from the narrative singing genre called "luodi changshu". Later, with new vocal styles and ensemble accompaniment added, it established its own special vocal style. As a relatively "young" operatic genre, Yue opera has won a firm following because of its emphasis on aesthetic appeal, seen in the handsome cast, the beautiful costumes, the lyrical music and the impressively designed sets. The vocal delivery is sweet, sonorous and appealing. Naturalism is favoured in the presentation, which is also full of the local flavour of scenic Jiangnan. Throughout the last century, Yue opera has been gleaning from and assimilating the merits of Peking opera, Kunqu opera, Shaoxing opera and drama until it came into its own. Today, it is a performing genre with exceptional appeal.
Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing, founded in 1986, has created and staged more than 20 full-length operas and 40 excerpts. Its productions have won the Five One Project Award of Zhejiang and the New Repertoire Award at the 9th Theatre Festival. The troupe has a well-balanced cast, with both civil and military roles. It gives frequent performances in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai regions, and has toured Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore to popular acclaim. The troupe will stage enriching programmes in Hong Kong. Details are as follows:
June 11 (Friday) 7.30pm
"The Lady General Mu Guiying Leads Her Army to War"
June 12 (Saturday) 2.30pm
Excerpts ¡ª "A Clever Girl Called Jiujin", "Ghost of a Woman Who Hangs Herself", "A Mother and Son Reunion at the Nunnery", "Recalling the Eighteen Hints at Parting", "A Heartbreaking Reunion"
June 12 (Saturday) 7.30pm
"Three Glimpses of the Princess"
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets: $350, $240, $180, $100
June 13 (Sunday) 7.30pm
"Interrogating the Husband"
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Tickets: $280, $220, $160, $100
Tickets for "Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing - A Virtuoso Showcase of Yue Opera Classics" are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concession will be granted for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis.) A discount scheme for Chinese Opera Festival 2010 is also available. Please refer to programme leaflet for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999; for Internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.hk. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp .
Free performances and talks will be held for this programme as follows:
June 11 (Friday) 5pm
Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Foyer performance "Murder at the Temple"
June 14 (Monday) 7.30pm
Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library
Post-performance talk (in Putonghua) "The Female Actor in Transvestite Lead Roles in Yue Opera"
Speaker: Wu Fenghua
(Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Ends/Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 10:01
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