Renowned Peking opera artists Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu will lead an elite cast from the China National Peking Opera Company to Hong Kong in June to present three performances for the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025 organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The repertoire includes the new historical Peking opera, "Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime", alongside timeless classics "A Meeting of Heroes, Invoking the East Wind and The Huarong Pass" and "The Legend of the White Snake". This programme is also the opening event of the 13th Chinese Opera Festival (COF) and one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Month 2025.
 
"Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime"
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Date and time: June 20 (Friday), 7.30pm

     Two years in the making of "Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime", the production recounts the historical story of Qian Chu, King of Wuyue during the late Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, who deferred to historical tides and his allegiance to the rightful rule. The China National Peking Opera Company preserves traditions while embracing innovation, and has crafted this production with a firm grounding in the core aesthetics of Peking opera, employing its signature abstract and symbolic conventions to evoke a magnificent chapter showing a wise king who values his people, pursues peace and stability, demonstrating the communal spirit pertaining to the Chinese national identity. The stellar cast is led by Peking opera star duo Yu Kuizhi, known as "China's No 1 laosheng (old male role)", and Li Shengsu, celebrated qingyi (virtuous female) role artist of the Mei (Lanfang) School and joined by the Company's finest established artists and promising young talents, to illustrate the spirit and historical roots of the Chinese nation through the artistry of Peking opera in the new era.
 
"A Meeting of Heroes, Invoking the East Wind and The Huarong Pass"
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Date and time: June 21 (Saturday), 7.30pm

     "A Meeting of Heroes, Invoking the East Wind and The Huarong Pass" is a classic ensemble piece in Peking opera drawn from the "Battle of Red Cliff" in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", showcasing the iconic scenes such as "Jiang Gan Stealing the Letter", "Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats" and "Staging a Ruse". As the saying goes, "There are no minor roles in the epic episodes" in this repertoire, the play features a rich cast of historical figures, blending singing, dialogue, acting, and martial arts. The plot is both witty and dramatic, with spectacular scenes that captivate the audience. Yu Kuizhi will lead a stunning cast of Peking opera masters to perform, which makes the play a must-see for opera enthusiasts.
 
"The Legend of the White Snake"
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Date and time: June 22 (Sunday), 7.30pm
 
     Another classic, "The Legend of the White Snake", a timeless love story between the immortal and the mortal, is still popular today. This production highlights the characters, visuals and technical artistry in major scenes - the excerpt "At the Lake" creates an idyllic moment and love emotions with misty waves during a boat trip; "Fighting on the Water" uses numerous wavering flags to simulate the water that floods the Jinshan Temple; and "On Broken Bridge" brings out Bai Suzhen (Lady White Snake)'s woes and heartbreak through exquisite vocal delivery. Meanwhile, the role of Bai will be shared by Li Shengsu and outstanding young performer Zhu Hong, embodying the mission to pass on, preserve and promote the artistry of Peking opera.
 
     The China National Peking Opera Company was founded in 1955, with the Peking opera legend, Maestro Mei Lanfang, as its founding director. Over the past seven decades, the Company has brought together many talented professionals in Peking opera, and has upheld the legacy while diligently creating new works. It promotes the excellent traditional Chinese culture through Peking opera and fosters cultural exchanges between China and other countries. The above-mentioned performances offer audiences a perfect blend of contemporary creativity and traditional mastery, and showcase the Company's 70th anniversary achievement in preserving and advancing the artistry of Peking opera.
 
     The three performances will be held at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $260, $360, $460 and $560 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Group booking discount and package booking discount are available for purchasing selected CCF stage programmes, the "Chinese Opera Film Shows" of the COF 2025 and the "Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters" lecture. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/chinese-opera-festival-2025-opening-programme/.
 
     The programme will also feature a meet-the-artists session (in Putonghua and Cantonese) entitled "The Legacy and Development of Peking Opera" to be held at 7.30pm on June 19 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu, while Chinese opera researcher Hu Guangming will be the moderator. Also, a backstage tour (in Putonghua with Cantonese interpretation) will be held on June 21 (Saturday) at 3.30pm at the Backstage of the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free and online registration is required for both activities (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1839.html#tab_13_0). If the quotas for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue's entrance for a standby quota on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
     In addition, a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held on June 22 (Sunday) at 3.30pm at the Foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Zhang Xinxin and Wang Xuesong from the China National Peking Opera Company will perform extracts of "Chasing the Boat on the Autumn River". Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to watch the performance on-site.
 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from both the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 will be held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the COF, "Tan Dun WE-Festival", film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Ends/Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:25

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