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Ling Lung Cantonese Opera Troupe will perform three classic works of the renowned Cantonese opera actor Ho Fei-fan, namely "The Romantic Monk", "The Blessing of the Moon" and "The Jade Hairpin", in November and December.
"The Romantic Monk" is among the works that propelled Ho Fei-fan and seasoned librettist Chan Koon-hing into the Cantonese opera hall of fame. Staged by the Fei Fan Heung Opera Troupe, it was performed across Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia and North America, captivating a wide and avid Chinese opera audience. Ho's rendition of the work's theme song in his signature style became a much-loved hallmark of his vocal art that is admired to this day. Details of the performance are set out below:
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
November 30 (Saturday)
7.30pm
Tickets: $100, $160, $200 and $240
Playwright Tong Tik-sang's classic "The Blessing of the Moon" extols the unwavering love between a couple and exposes the ugly face of feudal society. Premiered by Ho Fei-fan, this work gained instant and lasting popularity among opera lovers. "Jumping into the River Holding a Piece of Rock" and "Meeting in the Pavilion" are two excerpts especially cherished by aficionados of Ho's signature opera style. Performance details are as follows:
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
December 7 (Saturday)
7.30pm
Tickets: $100, $160 and $220
Expert at playing talented young scholars, Ho Fei-fan brought to life on stage the character of the rash and headstrong scholar Wang Yu-lin in "The Jade Hairpin". The version now being performed was adapted by Sun Kim-long in 2004, a work characterised by intricate artistic expression and touching rendition. The excerpt "Putting a Robe around Him Three Times" uses the bangzi style of operatic singing in a creative twist to express the angst and despondency of the lead female role, Li Xiuying. Also, with Hu Zhifong's instruction in the interpretation of the drama, the plot becomes more tightly knit and captivating. Details of the performance are as follows:
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
December 12 (Thursday)
7.30pm
Tickets: $100, $160, $220 and $280
The cast of the performances includes Ng Chin-fung, Tang Mi-ling, Chan Hung-chun, Liu Kwok-sum, Ko Lai, Sun Kim-long, Pui Chun-hin, Lam Po-chu, Ip Man-ka and Chor Ling-yan.
"Ho Fei-fan's Classics Select" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at 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 full-time students and CSSA recipients are available on a first come, first served basis.)
A Meet-the-Artist session (conducted in Cantonese) will be held at 7.30pm on December 15 (Sunday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Ng Chin-fung and Tang Mi-ling. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_371.html . Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and telephone credit card bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Monday, October 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:01
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