Enjoy the tunes in Chiuchow music
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    The concert "Charming Tunes in Chiuchow Music" by the Chiuchow Music Ensemble of the Guangdong Chiuchow Opera Theatre and presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department,  will be staged in January 2007.

     This is one of the first concerts of the Music of the Guangdong Region Series featuring renowned artists, including National Class Two performers Guo Linshu, Huang Zhuanglong and Zhan Chenghua. On this visit to Hong Kong, the group has invited the famous vocalists in Chiuchow music, Yao Xuanqiu and Zhang Changcheng to sing arias that are audience favourites.0The concert includes excerpts from the Chiuchow opera, Chiuchow "xiaoluogu" pieces (percussion ensemble), Chiuchow string erhu, suona, dizi and zheng music.

     The Chiuchow Music Ensemble of the Guangdong Chiuchow Opera Theatre is made up of a professional ensemble and musicians.  It is often invited to perform in major variety shows. Its repertoire includes some new Chiuchow music arrangements, such as "Spring Comes to the Fishing Port", "As the Waves Wash the Sand", "Liu-Qingniang", "Fish Hawks Dabbling in the Cold Water" and "Butterflies among Flowers".

     Chiuchow music is an ancient genre of folk music popular in the Chaozhou, Shantou and Fujian areas of Guangdong province. When the ancient music of the Central Plains reached the area, it incorporated the vernacular features and indigenous music to become Chiuchow music with a distinct character.

     "Charming Tunes in Chiuchow Music" will be staged at 8pm, January 6, 2007 (Saturday) at the Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets priced at $130 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. (Limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

     A special discount is available for group bookings for the Music of the Guangdong Region Series. Please check programme leaflets for details.

     For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.

     A free-admission pre-concert talk (in Cantonese and Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm, January 5, 2007 (Friday) at AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Guo Linshu, Huang Zhuanglong, Wang Qingsu and Yao Xuanqiu. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ends/Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:14

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