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Performances by the Haifeng Xiqin Operatic Troupe of Guangdong, which will stage three performances in August, will bring local audiences the unique artistic features of some ancient operatic genres rarely seen in Hong Kong. The performances form the second programme of the "Chinese Operas with an Ancient Lineage" series.
Comprising excerpts from Xiqin opera and the award-winning "Execution of Zheng En", the performances, accompanied with simplified surtitles in English, will be held at the Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre from August 3 to 5. Details are as follows:
August 3 (Friday) 7.30pm
Excerpts – "Liu Xi Chastising His Sons"; "Bidding Farewell on the Boats"; "Trial by the Living and the Dead" from "The Trial of Guo Huai"; "The Picture that Tells It All" from "The Orphan of the Zhao's"
August 4 (Saturday) 7.30pm
Excerpts – "Murder at the Temple" from "Qin Xianglian"; "Sent to Marry a Barbarian" from "Farewell at Chongtai"; "A Tearful Revelation at the Grave" from "Zhou Ren Presenting His Sworn Brother's Wife"; "Xue Rengui Returning to the Kiln He Once Called Home"; "Filing Four Petitions"
August 5 (Sunday) 7.30pm
"The Execution of Zheng En"
Originating as a regional operatic style in Gansu and brought to Haifeng in Guangdong during the Ming dynasty, Xiqin opera evolved with the local culture and customs to become a unique operatic genre in early Qing dynasty. The stock repertory consists of more than 1,000 plays of various themes, styles and lengths.
For generations, many outstanding artists of the Haifeng Xiqin Operatic Troupe of Guangdong have contributed to the building of the stock repertory and are dedicated to grooming young artists. The number of performances has grown from a handful in the past to more than 200 a year nowadays. The artists and the troupe have also won many awards for outstanding performance and repertoire at major showcases and competitions. In 2005, the troupe was designated by the State Council as a "national intangible cultural heritage".
Tickets priced at $100, $160 and $240 are now available at URBTIX outlets, while senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients can have 50% off (Limited quotas for students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount applies to Friends of LCSD performing venues. There will be a maximum of 20% off for various booking schemes. Please refer to the programme leaflets for details.
Performances by the Haifeng Xiqin Operatic Troupe of Guangdong are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Other programmes of the "Chinese Operas with an Ancient Lineage" series include "The Liuzi Operatic Troupe of Shandong"; "Chizhou Nuo Opera of Anhui" and "Excerpts from the Paichang Repertoires of Cantonese Opera".
For enquiries about the programmes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:11
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