New Cantonese opera "Ancient Tune of Guangling" to premiere at Chinese Culture Festival in September to honour timeless legend and scholarly integrity of Wei-Jin period (with photos)
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The "Ancient Tune of Guangling", an ancient "qin" (Chinese zither) masterpiece, carries a tragic legend of the famed scholar Ji Kang that has endured for millennia. Set during the Sima clan's usurpation in the late Cao Wei dynasty, the play follows Ji Kang, who receives this "qin" music from an immortal in a dream. As Sima Zhao seeks to draw intellectuals into his service, Ji Kang evades the conscription by severing ties with his close friend Shan Tao, who was ordered to summon him to office. Later, speaking out for justice in the Lü brothers' legal dispute, Ji Kang is falsely accused by scholar Zhong Hui, giving Sima Zhao the pretext to execute him. At the execution ground, Ji Kang calmly plays the "qin", his soul departing as the strings snap amid the final echoes of the "Ancient Tune of Guangling".
The production strictly follows the traditional "bang-huang" melodic system and established "qupai" (set tune-patterns), complemented by an elevated, classical diction to evoke once more the ways of the world and societal ethos during the Wei-Jin period. While contributing to the preservation of the Cantonese operatic tradition, this new creation embodies a core artistic spirit of Chinese opera - namely, to "stir the emotions, sharpen observation, foster fellowship, and give voice to grievance" - with the aspiration of touching the cultural sensibilities across different generations and striking a contemporary chord. The play delineates the intricate complexities of human nature and political intrigue amidst a turbulent era, while integrating modern stage aesthetics and lighting design to breathe new life into this traditional tale.
The play is penned by local poet Woo Kwok-yin as playwright, alongside veteran Cantonese opera practitioner Leung Wai-hong as artistic director and director. Celebrated stars Loong Koon-tin (as Ji Kang), Tang Mi-ling (as Ji Kang's wife, Lady Cao), Yuen Siu-fai (as Shan Tao) and Liu Kwok-sum (as Sima Zhao/the immortal) join forces with a talented cohort of young performers including Man Shuet-kau (as Sima Zhao's wife, Wang Yuanji), To Wing-sum (as Zhong Hui) and Ng Lap-hei (as Lü An). Together, they grace the stage to carry forward the heritage of Cantonese opera traditions and illuminate the brilliance of Chinese culture.
"A New Cantonese Opera 'Ancient Tune of Guangling'" will be held at 7.30pm on September 11 and 12 (Friday and Saturday), and at 2.30pm on September 13 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $180, $280, $380 and $480 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/a-new-cantonese-opera-ancient-tune-of-guangling/.
The programme offers a pre-performance talk and a post-performance talk in Cantonese. The pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on September 3 (Thursday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai, Woo Kwok-yin and Leung Wai-hong while To Wai Sau-ming, Marilyn 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 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 post-performance talk will be held after the performance on September 13 (Sunday). The speakers are Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai, Liu Kwok-sum, Man Shuet-kau and Ng Lap-hei while To Wing-sum will be the moderator. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.
The programme will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" to be held at 2.30pm on September 11 (Friday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall, with free admission specially for local primary and secondary school students. Loong Koon-tin and Tang Mi-ling will join hands with To Wing-sum and Ng Lap-hei to perform an excerpt from the "Ancient Tune of Guangling", accompanied by easy-to-follow demonstrations and guided appreciation, allowing students to experience the unique charm of Cantonese opera, a world-class intangible cultural heritage item. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details.
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. This year's CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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