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The Chinese Opera Festival 2012 is presenting another delightful programme in July with the performances of the Xiaobaihua Troupe of the Hangzhou Yue Opera Theatre. Yue opera is a refined form among the various Chinese opera categories.
Yue opera first developed from the narrative singing genre called Luodi Changshu. Later, with new vocal styles and ensemble accompaniment added, it was able to establish its own special vocal style. Throughout the past century, Yue opera assimilated the merits of Peking opera, Kunqu opera, Shaoxing opera and drama until it could come into its own. Today, Yue opera distinguishes itself from all other Chinese traditional genres with its exceptional aesthetic appeal. As a relatively young genre, it has also developed different stylistic schools, each with its engaging charm.
In this year's festival, the Hangzhou Yue Opera Theatre will bring to Hong Kong the classic "Interrogating the Husband", starring Xie Qunying and Zheng Guofeng, who will inject new life into the genre. Also on the programme are the excerpts "Meng Lijun" and "The Jade Dragonfly" starring Chen Xiaohong, Chen Xueping and Xu Ming; two excerpts, "Burying Petals" and "Mourning Daiyu", from "The Dream of the Red Chamber"; two excerpts, "Sweet Memories at the Eighteen Spots During the Long Farewell" and "Shanbo Dying", from "The Butterfly Lovers"; and further excerpts from "The Jade Hairpin".
Details of the performances are as follows:
July 15 (Sunday)
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
"Meng Lijun"
July 16 (Monday)
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
"Interrogating the Husband"
July 17 (Tuesday)
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
"The Jade Dragonfly"
July 18 (Wednesday)
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Excerpts: "Sweet Memories at the Eighteen Spots During the Long Farewell" and "Shanbo Dying" from "The Butterfly Lovers", "Burying the Petals" and "Mourning Daiyu" from "The Dream of the Red Chamber", and "The Neglected Bride Watching Over Her Husband in Sleep" and "The Top Scholar's Apology to His Wife" from "The Jade Hairpin".
All performances will be staged at 7.30pm. Tickets priced from $100 to $350 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis.) Please refer to the programme booklet for group and package booking discount schemes.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325, or visit www.cof.gov.hk/2012/eng/prog06.php. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
To tie in with the performances, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is organising a talk with free admission and limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are as follows:
"Artists on Their Art: The Stylistic Schools of Yue Opera"
Date: July 14 (Saturday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: AC1, Level 4, Administration Building,
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Hou Jun, Xie Qunying, Chen Xiaohong,
Zheng Guofeng, Chen Xueping, Xu Ming
Ends/Thursday, June 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:20
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