Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to focus on Luoyang by presenting Hong Kong debut of Luoyang Yu Opera Troupe with classic play and excerpts in July (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
Yu opera, also known as Henan "Bangzi", is a prominent branch of the clapper opera ("bangzi") vocal system. Prevalent in Henan Province, it has evolved into various local singing styles, including the Xiangfu style, Eastern Henan style, Western Henan style and Shahe style. The genre has produced many great masters through the ages. Of these, Ma Jinfeng, one of the "Five Divas" in Yu opera, created the distinctive "shuaidan" (military-leading female) role type, which tactfully fuses the stylised movements of "qingyi" (virtuous female), "wusheng" (martial male) and "daomadan" (sword-wielding and horse-riding female). Her rich, mellow voice and bold, dashing stage presence have won her the epithet "Peony of Luoyang".
Details of the two performances are as follows:
"Mu Guiying Takes Command"
-----------------------------------------------------
Date and time: July 17 (Friday), 7.30pm
This play is a signature masterpiece of Ma Jinfeng, which was subsequently adapted into a Peking opera version by the legendary Mei Lanfang and became popular nationwide. The storyline follows Mu Guiying, past 50, who once again dons her armour and takes command of the army in a time of national peril. Led by Guan Meili, this performance revives the splendour of the Ma-school "shuaidan" style, offering an awe-inspiring stage presence in a crimson warrior robe as a commanding war marshal. Her passionate singing in the iconic aria "Three Cannon Blasts Beyond the Command Gate" is majestic and powerful, fully projecting Mu's devotion and determination to protect the country. Sharing the stage are Wang Hui as Dowager She, with a robust and poised vocal style, and Jia Wenlong as the Song Emperor, portraying the ruler with stately grace. For her spectacular performance in this play, Guan Meili was honoured with the Leading Role Award at the 33rd Shanghai Magnolia Stage Performance Awards. Marking her Hong Kong debut with this definitive Ma-school classic, this rare showcase promises to be an unmissable performance for all Chinese opera enthusiasts.
Excerpts
---------------------------------------------------------
Date and time: July 18 (Saturday), 7.30pm
This programme features a selection of five excerpts from representative classics, showcasing the fascinating diversity of Yu opera's stylistic schools. Chinese opera lovers will be treated to the delicate and nuanced delivery of the female lead's singing in the Ma-school masterpiece "Emotional Outpouring at the South Camp" from "The Spear as a Token of Love", as well as the classic comedy "At the Imperial Court" from "Demanding Justice from the Emperor", which skilfully fuses the distinctive traits of "podan" (shrewish female), "caidan" (female clown) and "qingyi" (virtuous female) roles. Furthermore, "Interrogating the Husband", a representative work of the Yan (Liping) school, meticulously details the emotional struggles of a "guimendan" (young female role). "The Ingenious County Magistrate" is a delightful comic play featuring a "wenchou" (clown role) as its protagonist, using lively gestures drawn from everyday life to portray a witty and upright inner beauty. Finally, the Chang (Xiangyu) school classic "Setting Off for Battle" from "Five Generations of Loyal Generals" raises the sense of loyalty towards family and country of the Yang family's women warriors to a powerful climax through impassioned, stirring singing.
Established in 2010, the Luoyang Yu Opera Troupe traces its lineage to the Luoyang City Yu Opera Troupe founded in the 1950s and the Second Luoyang City Yu Opera Troupe formed in the late 1980s. Representing the distinctive artistic style of the Ma school, the troupe enjoys a stellar reputation nationwide. Its signature productions - including "Mu Guiying Takes Command", "Demanding Justice from the Emperor", "The Spear as a Token of Love" and "Luoyang Bridge" - have been highly popular with audiences and have been adapted into films. Among these, "Mu Guiying Takes Command" received the National Outstanding Traditional Opera Script Award and several first prizes at the first Henan Provincial Drama Festival.
The two performances will be held at the Auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre New Wing (KSTNW). Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $190, $290 and $390 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/luoyang-yu-opera-troupe/.
A meet-the-artists session entitled "On the Development and Dissemination of Yu Opera - A Legacy from Luoyang, Henan" (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on July 16 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Guan Meili, Wang Hui, Jia Wenlong, Bo Qing, Chen Dahua and Liu Yalin, while Chinese opera researcher Giovanna Wu will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). If the spaces for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue's entrance for a standby space 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.
The programme will also feature two sessions under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" to be held at 10.30am and noon on July 17 (Friday) at the Auditorium of the KSTNW, with free admission specially for local primary and secondary school students. Artists of the troupe will perform Yu opera excerpts including "Huarong Pass" from "The Righteous and the Loyal" and "On the Way to Battle" from "Hua Mulan", accompanied by easy-to-follow demonstrations and guided appreciation, allowing students to gain a close understanding of Yu opera. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details. This session is sponsored by the Chamber of Young Snow.
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 sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 is held from June to September. It hosts various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
NNNN
