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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), which is continuing to deliver more programmes in the Guangdong Music Series, will present "A Concert by the Cantonese Music and Song Art Troupe" in November. Veteran musicians have been invited to perform famous Cantonese music works at the concert.
The fascinating programme will include the ensemble masterpieces "The Dragon Boat Race", "The Peacock in Its Full Glory", "In Celebration of Good Times" and "Stepping High"; the trio composition "Autumn Moon over a Placid Lake"; the five-piece combo works "Rain Lashing on the Plantain" and "Lovers' Sorrow"; and the pieces "Billowing Waves" and "Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon" for female si xian ensemble. In addition, several instrumental solo works will be performed: "The Lion Dance" and "Pacing Horses" on the xylophone, "Getting on Board the Fishing Boat" with the duantong, "The Busy Weaver" on the pipa and "Birds Returning to the Woods" with the gaohu. Three famous national virtuoso instrumentalists, Liang Yurong, Li Minhua and He Ping, will also sing solo in "Laments on the West Mansion", "The Injustice Done to Dou E" and "Southeast the Peacock Flies" respectively.
Founded in 1958, the Cantonese Music and Song Art Troupe focuses on the composition and performance of Cantonese music and Cantonese song art as well as related research. It is charged with the responsibility of preserving two types of national intangible cultural heritage - Cantonese music and Cantonese song art. For more than five decades, the troupe has been home to many virtuoso instrumentalists and new generations of artists, and it has established a unique performing style with a rich vernacular flavour.
Liang Yurong is a famous singer of the pinghou (natural) voice in Cantonese song, and is officially recognised as an exponent of the intangible cultural heritage of Cantonese sung music of Guangzhou City. Her singing is charged with emotion and a poignant charm. Her broad range allows her to portray different characters through vocal control and sing with heartrending emotions. Liang has given many solo recitals in China and overseas and has been conferred the title of "Outstanding Artist - Youth to Middle-age Category" by the Publicity Department of the Provincial Party Committee of Guangdong in 2012.
Li Minhua is a famous singer of zihou (falsetto) voice in Cantonese song and has studied under virtuosi Tan Peiyi and Chen Xiaohan. Through dedicated research, Li is able to integrate the outstanding features of other vocal styles with her own. She has given many successful concerts at home and abroad and has won critical acclaim. Her best-known works include "Emperor Guangxu's Love for Consort Zhen", "Lovers Meet in a Dream" and "Mu Guiying Leads the Army to War".
He Ping is a famous vocalist singing in pinghou voice and is also officially recognised as an exponent of the intangible cultural heritage of Cantonese sung music of Guangzhou City. She sings with rich, round tones and a poignant tunefulness that demonstrates her musicality. She has given many solo concerts, and is known for such works as "Southeast the Peacock Flies", "Wu Song Kills His Sister-in-law" and "Breaking the Chan Pass".
"A Concert by the Cantonese Music and Song Art Troupe" is one of the attractions of the Guangdong Music Series presented by the LCSD. The performance will be staged at 8pm on November 5 (Monday) at the Theatre of Ko Shan Theatre. Tickets priced at $160, $130 and $110 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone 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). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the Guangdong Music Series package. A group booking discount scheme is also available. Please refer to the programme leaflets for details.
Other Guangdong Music Series programmes include "Cantonese Music and Its Roots" by the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble and "A Tribute to Wan Chi-chung, Guiding Light in Cantonese Saloon Music in Hong Kong".
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/00000423.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, October 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:30
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