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The highly acclaimed Guangdong Chiu Chow Opera Theatre Number One Troupe and Sun Hon Kwong Chiu Chow Opera Troupe have been invited to jointly perform three traditional operas, to be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in April.
Chiuchow opera is performed in the Chiuchow dialect and is one of the principal Chinese operatic genres. The genre's repertory origins lie in south China's operatic plays of the Song and Yuan periods, and are characterised by vivid, affable dialogues and lyrics, making the performances highly accessible and enjoyable for all. The main cast of the performances will include the acclaimed performers Zhang Yihuang, Lin Chufa, Liu Xiaoli, Huang Yingwei, Lin Wuyan, Huang Guinuo, Chen Chuyun and Wu Yudong of the Guangdong Chiu Chow Opera Theatre Number One Troupe.
Founded in 1958, the Guangdong Chiu Chow Opera Theatre Number One Troupe has built a repertory of outstanding and well-loved opera works, with both new productions and adaptations. They include "The Love Story of Chen San and Wuniang", "A Farewell to My Lover", "Su Liuniang", "A Ghost in the Firewood Room", "The Story of An Unintended Tonsure", "Old Master Chen Picking His Son-in-law" and "The Courtesan and the Top Scholar". Over the years the troupe has performed in Cambodia, Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, France and Hong Kong.
The Sun Hon Kwong Chiu Chow Opera Troupe was formerly known as the Hon Kwong Chiu Chow Opera Troupe, which was founded in 1959 and turned professional in 1987. Its repertory comprises nearly 100 titles including "Qin Xianglian", "The Magic Lotus Lantern" and "The Female Generals of the Yang Family". Its members include virtuosi of Chiuchow opera in Hong Kong, as well as young artists groomed in recent years. The troupe maintains close contact with its peers on the Mainland and often collaborates with them in joint performances. The artistic exchanges are conducive to the development of the genre.
Details of the performances are as follows:
April 1 (Wednesday) 7.30pm
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre
Programme: "An Elusive Dream in the Northern Mansion"
April 2 (Thursday) 7.30pm
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre
Programme: "The Incarceration of Su San"
April 3 (Friday) 7.30pm
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
Programme: "Chen San and Wuniang"
Tickets priced from $120 to $200 are now available at URBTIX. 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).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_746.html. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:01
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