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"South China Tunes" by brothers Ko Yun-kuen and Ko Yun-hung, the most sought-after percussion and ensemble leaders in Cantonese opera, will be staged in March. This is one of the programmes of the Guangdong Music Series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Wind and percussion tunes commonly heard in Cantonese operas and tunes from the now almost extinct "ba yin" (eight sound) troupes are age-old forms of South China music. For this concert, the Ko brothers will step out of the orchestra pit and appear on stage to demonstrate the musical expertise they have learned from their father, Master Ko Kun, a seasoned percussion leader, and from Master Liu Sum, a famous xiao artist, in Cantonese opera. The concert is expected to give patrons a taste of Cantonese music from a bygone era.
The programme will includes percussion marking the beginning of the performance in "The Heralding Drums"; a medley of tunes for wind and percussion in "The Birthday Greeting from Heaven", "Prime Minister of Six States" and "The Jade Emperor Holds Court"; a medley of nine short tunes including "Yingtai Pays Her Respects at the Grave" and "Su Xiaomei Laments by Herself"; a medley of long tunes in "Thinking of the Sages"; music from a notation of the live singing work "The Little Red Peach"; the "ba yin" ensemble piece "King Chu Bidding Farewell to His Concubine"; and more.
"South China Tunes" will be staged at 8pm on March 21 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of the Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. Tickets priced at $120 and $180 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 CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). Group booking and Guangdong Music Series package booking discounts are also available. Please refer to the programme booklet for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_726.html. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, February 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:46
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