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A magnificent dance drama to tell the mournful story of the composer of "the Yellow River Cantata" - HSIEN Hsing-hai, will be staged at 7.30pm on April 8 (Saturday) at Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and April 9 (Sunday) at Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall.

Produced by the Guangzhou Song and Dance Company,¡@the innovative dance drama was a marvelous production in celebration of the establishment of the People's Republic of China for 50th years and the marking of the 60th anniversary of "the Yellow River Cantata" in 1999. It had won the 7th National "Five-in-one-Works" Award, Guangdong "Five-in-one-Works" Award and the 6th Guangdong "LU Xun Literary Award". The Company was invited to Beijing to perform the dance drama last year and the performance became the focus of attention of many people. Up to present, it has already been staged over sixty performances in China and has received wide acclaim.

"The Yellow River Cantata", composed by musician HSIEN Hsing-hai, is full of power and grandeur which enjoys great popularity. The dance drama then brings to the audience magnificent body movements and fervid tunes reflect the emotions of HSIEN at different stages in the course of music composition.

"Man of the Yellow River" tells the story of HSIEN's mournful experience in his homeland at the time of 1930s when China faced invasion of Japan. During the war period, people of China tried their best to save their home country even at the risk of their lives. To express his passion, HSIEN wrote "the Yellow River Cantata". The song rapidly spread all over China and highly stimulated the spirit of Chinese people to fight against the enemy. One day, a little girl tried to protect his violin but was finally killed by a bomb...

The widely-acclaimed dance drama was a concerted effort of numerous famous musicians, producers, choreographers and dancers which took three years to complete.

"The programme narrates the changes of the world like scrolls of painting, presenting to the audience the lively dances and music with intense vigor which stir the hearts of the people of our age." - Chinese Youth Journal.

"Resounding and powerful, passionate and thrilling, the artistry of 'the Man of the Yellow River' is greatly appreciated by the audience." - Xiangshan Daily.

Guangzhou Song and Dance Company was established in 1965 and had staged a number of performances including "The White-haired Girl" and "Dagger Society" etc. Over the past thirty years, the Company has toured many countries including Indonesia, New Zealand, Mauritius, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macau and had won various prizes in China and abroad.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, tickets of "Man of the Yellow River" are priced at $150, $120 and $90 for Hong Kong Cultural Centre and $130, $110 and $90 for Tuen Mun Town Hall are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are also available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. For details of other discount schemes, please check out programme leaflets available at all URBTIX outlets.

For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2937; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009.

End/Monday, March 6, 2000

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