HOME

The 9th Cantonese Opera Festival (formerly the Yangcheng International Cantonese Opera Festival) will be held in Guangzhou from November 20 to 30 this year, enabling more people to embrace the culture of the Cantonese Opera.

From November 15 to 30, a total of 47 performances will be staged, including 22 outstanding opera shows and 25 exhibitions of Cantonese opera and music from overseas Chinese associations.

The performances will be held at various venues, including the Guangzhou Opera House, the Hung Sin-Nui Grand Theater, the Guangdong Friendship Theater, the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center, the Guangzhou Jiangnan Grand Theater, the Southern Theater, the Red Bean Hall of the Guangzhou Cantonese Theater, and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, covering multiple areas of Guangzhou.

The performance groups include troupes from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and areas such as Wuzhou and Nanning in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, making it a grand-scale event. The historical background of Cantonese opera shows spans multiple ancient dynasties such as the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties, as well as modern times. The themes primarily focus on historical stories, while also encompassing elements of society, love, and family.

Selected Introductions of Outstanding Performances

Southern Fist (南拳)

November 20, 7:30 p.m., Hung Sin-Nui Grand Theater

Southern Fist is based on the background of the 20th century when China went through a time of upheaval and change. The outbreak of the Songhu Battle altered the fate of the protagonist, Jiang Yilong, who was transformed from a Southern Fist master into a guardian of the nation, embodying the spirit of Southern Fist that shines brightly amidst the chaos of war. This performance showcases the spirit of Lingnan martial arts that transcends sectarian divides, promotes unity and inclusiveness, and embraces innovation.

Princess Chang Ping (帝女花)

November 16, 7:30 p.m., Guangzhou Jiangnan Grand Theater

The play is set in the 17th year during the reign of Chongzhen in the late Ming Dynasty, a time when the country had been fragile for many years. Although Emperor Chongzhen desired to revitalize the nation, he faced significant pressure and made poor choices in appointing officials, and the country's situation continued to fall. The opera tells the tragic love story of Princess Chang Ping and Zhou Shixian.

Comprehensive Guide to Cantonese Opera Performing Arts (《粤剧表演艺术大全》), the closing ceremony of this festival

November 30, 7:30 p.m., Hung Sin-Nui Grand Theater

The "Volume of Repertoire" of the "Comprehensive Guide to Cantonese Opera Performing Arts" consists of three main parts: traditional li xi (plays that are usually performed on specific occasions), pai chang (fixed, standardized performances that are presented in similar sections of different plays), and selected repertoire. The traditional li xi is divided into two categories: ritualistic plays and narrative plays. The pai chang includes two types: civil performances and martial performances. The selected repertoire comprises three sections: traditional plays, newly adapted ancient costume plays, and modern plays.

The schedule of outstanding performances at the 9th Cantonese Opera Festival

For more detailed information, please subscribe to "Guangzhou Cantonese Opera House" (广州粤剧院) on WeChat.

Source & photos: 广州粤剧院

Authors: Paradox (intern), Joyce

Editor: Annie