Cantonese opera

Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Guangdong Province. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau and among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting.

Cantonese opera
Traditional Chinese	1. 粵劇 2. 大戲
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin 1. Yuè jù 2. dà xì Yue: Cantonese Jyutping 1. Jyut^6 kek^6 2. daai^6 hei^3

History

There is debate about the origins of Cantonese opera, but it is generally accepted that opera was brought from the northern part of China and slowly migrated to the southern province of Guangdong in the late 13th century, during the late Southern Song dynasty. In the 12th century, there was a theatrical form called the Nanxi or "Southern drama", which was performed in public theatres of Hangzhou, then capital of the Southern Song. With the invasion of the Mongol army, Emperor Gong of the Song dynasty fled with hundreds of thousands of Song people into Guangdong in 1276. Among them were Nanxi performers from Zhejiang, who brought Nanxi into Guangdong and helped develop the opera traditions in the south.

Many well-known operas performed today, such as Tai Nui Fa originated in the Ming Dynasty and The Purple Hairpin originated in the Yuan Dynasty, with lyrics and scripts in Cantonese. Until the 20th century all the female roles were performed by males.

 

Hand coloured photo of a Cantonese Opera Male Dan performer as Hau Mulan in 1927, Hong Kong

Early development in Shanghai

In the 1840s, a large number of Guangdong businessmen came to Shanghai for opportunities. They owned abundant resources, therefore, their influence in Shanghai has gradually increased (Song, 1994).^[1] Later, various clansmen associations have been established to sponsor different cultural activities, Cantonese opera was one of them. From the 1920s to the 1930s, the development of Cantonese opera in Shanghai was very impressive (Chong, 2014).^[2] At that time, the department stores opened by the Cantonese businessmen in Shanghai had their Cantonese opera theater companies.^[3] Moreover, the Guangdong literati in Shanghai always put great effort into promotions of Guangdong opera. A newspaper recorded that "The Cantonese operas were frequently played at that time. And the actors who came to perform in Shanghai were very famous. Every time many Cantonese merchants made reservations for inviting their guests to enjoy the opera".(Cheng, 2007)^[4]

Development in Hong Kong

Beginning in the 1950s immigrants fled Shanghai to areas such as North Point.^[5] Their arrival significantly boosted the Cantonese opera fan-base. Also, the Chinese Government wanted to deliver the message of socialist revolution to Chinese people under colonial governance in Hong Kong.^[6] Agents of the Chinese government founded newspaper platforms, such as Ta Kung Pao (大公報) and Chang Cheung Hua Pao (長城畫報) to promote Cantonese Opera to the Hong Kong audience. These new platforms were used to promote new Cantonese Opera releases. This helped to boost the popularity of Cantonese Opera among the Hong Kong audience. Gradually, Cantonese Opera became a part of daily entertainment activity in the colony.

The popularity of a Cantonese Opera continued to grow during the 1960s.^[7] More theatres were established in Sheung Wan and Sai Wan, which became important entertainment districts. Later, performances began to be held in playgrounds, which provided more opportunities to develop Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong. As the variety of venues grew, so the variety of audiences became wider. However, Cantonese Opera began to decline as TV and cinema started to develop in the late 1960s. Compared to Cantonese Opera, cinema was cheaper and TV was more convenient. Subsequently, some theatres started to be repurposed as commercial or residential buildings. The resulting decline in available theatres further contributed to the decline of Cantonese Opera in the territory.

Since the demolition of Lee Theatre and the closing down of many stages (Tai Ping Theatre, Ko Shing Theatre, Paladium Theatre, Astor Theatre or former Po Hing Theatre, Kai Tak Amusement Park and Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park) that were dedicated to Cantonese genre throughout the decades, Hong Kong's Sunbeam Theatre is one of the last facilities that is still standing to exhibit Cantonese Opera.

By the early 1980s, Leung Hon-wai was one of the first in his generation of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (hkbarwo) who gave classes and actively engaged in talent-hunting. The Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong classes started in 1980.

To intensify education in Cantonese opera, they started to run an evening part-time certificate course in Cantonese Opera training with assistance from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1998. In 1999, the Association and the Academy further conducted a two-year daytime diploma programme in performing arts in Cantonese Opera in order to train professional actors and actresses. Aiming at further raising the students' level, the Association and the Academy launched an advanced course in Cantonese opera in the next academic year.

In recent years, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council has given grants to the Love and Faith Cantonese Opera Laboratory to conduct Cantonese opera classes for children and young people. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has also funded the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong Branch) to implement the "Cultural Envoy Scheme for Cantonese Opera" for promoting traditional Chinese productions in the community.

Also, the Hong Kong Government planned to promote Cantonese Opera through different communication channels.^[8] They wanted to build more theatres for the Hong Kong public to have more opportunities to enjoy Cantonese Opera. The scheme also arrived to develop professional talents in Cantonese Opera. Cantonese Opera became a part of the compulsory Music subject in primary school. For teachers, the Education Bureau provided some training and teaching materials related to Cantonese Opera.

Art festivals

In the first decade of the Hong Kong Arts Festivals and the Festivals of Asian Arts, Cantonese opera performances contributed by those representing the lion share of the market, (well-established troupes, well-known performers Lang Chi Bak as well as Leung Sing Poh in their golden years or prominent performers in their prime) are:-

Fung Wong-nui (1925–1992)

1974, 2nd Hong Kong Arts Festival (self-financing 3 titles)

《薛平貴》Xue Pinggui

《胡不歸》Time To Go Home

《貍貓換太⼦》Substituting a Racoon for the Prince

1979, 7th Hong Kong Arts Festival*

1980, 8th Hong Kong Arts Festival

Lam Kar Sing^[9] (1933–2015), bearer of the tradition handed down by Sit Gok Sin and owner of name brand/tradition (personal art over lucrative "for hire" careers in films or on stage) as well as volunteer tutor to two (^[10] 1987, 2008^[11]) students^[12] handpicked right out of training schools

1976, 1st Festival of Asian Arts

1977, 2nd Festival of Asian Arts

《雙槍陸文龍》Lu Wen-long^[13]

《紅樓寶黛》 Bao and Dai of Red Chamber^[14]

1978, 6th Hong Kong Arts Festival*

《梁祝恨史》Butterfly Lovers

Yam-Fong title

For two decades a regular if opposite Lee Bo-ying

Loong Kim Sang lost the only compatible co-star for this title in 1976

One of many traceable artistic interpretations of same legend

Lam forged his own (still opposite Lee Bo-ying) in November 1987 and made that the contemporary prevailing version

1978, 3rd Festival of Asian Arts

1980, 5th Festival of Asian Arts

1982, 7th Festival of Asian Arts

1984, Chinese Opera Fortnight (中國戲曲匯演)

《胡不歸》Time To Go Home – the contemporary prevailing version^[15]

《雷鳴金鼓戰笳聲》The Sounds of Battle

《三夕恩情廿載仇》Romance and Hatred

《無情寶劍有情天》Merciless Sword Under Merciful Heaven

• Last time both Lang Chi Bak (1904－1992)and Leung Sing Poh performed was in 1979.

Loong Kim Sang

1983, 8th Festival of Asian Arts

1984, 9th Festival of Asian Arts

《帝女花》Di Nü Hua

《紫釵記》The Purple Hairpin

《紅樓夢》Dream of Red Chamber

40 years since Yam's best known role and title (opposite Chan Yim Nung) in 1944

New script debuted in November 1983

Contemporary prevailing version

《花田八喜》Mistake at the Flower Festival

《再世紅梅記》The Reincarnation of a Beauty

《牡丹亭驚夢》The Peony Pavilion

1985, 10th Festival of Asian Arts

Obscure groups of experimental nature, let alone those late boomers without market value, were not on the map or in the mind of those organizing these events. That changed since the 40 something Leung Hon-wai found his way to the stepping stone or launching pad he desired for pet projects of various nature.

Public funding

To continue the tradition by passing on what elders and veterans inherited from former generations and to improve sustainability with new and original music, lyrics and scripts.

• Cantonese Opera Development Fund^[16]
• Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Grants^[17]

Heritage is as abstract a concept as traditions is while monetary support is real. However, elders are not ombudspersons in any sense and they take public funds for their own reasons. That is, they are knee deep in commercial performances even as a member of the above organizations.

A juren a century ago can be an adjunct associate professor now in Hong Kong. How business was conducted in a community by a juren was illustrated by Ma Sze Tsang in a film called the Big Thunderstorm (1954).

Trend-setting figure, Leung Hon-wai, talked on camera about his doctrine related to new titles he wrote and monetary backings from the various Hong Kong authorities. That is, art festivals provided him financial means, identity, advertising resources and opportunities not otherwise available. Curious audience makes good box-office for the only 2–3 shows of a single new title. In addition, he only paid 50% to collect the new costumes in his procession for future performances of different titles.

A Sit Kok Sin classic fetched HK$105,200 plus in 2015. The parents who had over 100 years of experience combined found sharing the stage with their son as not feasible without subsidies for Golden Will Chinese Opera Association and Wan Fai-yin, Christina.

Time To Go Home is different from those Leung debuted at arts festivals since:-

1. This 1939 Sit classic has been a rite of passage for new performers to become prominent male leads.
2. It only involves minimum costumes, props and crew size.
3. It is popular as afternoon fillers by third tier performers in bamboo theaters.

In 2019, Yuen Siu Fai talked on radio that he found the readily available funding made beneficiaries financially irresponsible, unlike himself and others who put their own money where their mouths were. Yuen, who works regularly for troupes with secure public funding, did not draw a link between his two roles.

Contrary to Africa, the entire village is responsible for raising the children of a certain crowd only. Both political and social guanxi is making or breaking the future of up-and-coming performers in the same way as whether Bak Yuk Tong is remembered as one of the Four Super Stars or not. According to Yuen, Bak is anti-communist and therefore his status is different in Mainland China (PRC).

Crowdfunding

Private funding

• The Art of Fong Yim-fun Sustainability Project, Shaw College, CUHK.
  In August 2014, the Fong Yim Fun Art Gallery was formally opened.^[18]
• Dr. Yang Leung Yin-fong Katie, the Honorary Life Chairman, donated one of her properties to be the permanent office of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong to provide residences for aged musicians.

Jumping the shark

In 2019, Yuen Siu Fai said that old performers are to stay front and center on stage as long as they want to take center stage instead of sharing, let alone ceding, the limelight to the next or even younger generations. Yuen insists that performers without bags under their eyes could not be any good.

In 2018, Law Kar Ying said Chan Kam Tong had already jumped the shark in the mid-1950s, more than ten years before Chan actually left the stage or more than 60 years for it to be confirmed to the public. The (Yuen, Law and others) generation with bags under their eyes picked up where Leung left off. By such, these old performers are upholding the Chan tradition and making up records along the way. However, the Chan caliber of masters needed no directors.

Two performers Chan worked with closely, who definitely left the stage at will with dignity, are Yam Kim Fai and Fong Yim Fun. They both openly rebuked (in 1969 and in 1987 respectively in no harsher way than what Lam Kar Sing and his wife did in 1983) individual off-springs who were under their wings briefly but officially. The popularity of Yam-Fong in Hong Kong continues to thrive notwithstanding their apparent lack of official successors as Loong Kim Sang and Lee Bo Ying picked up where they left off.

Cantonese opera in Hong Kong rocketed around 1985/86, according to Li Jian, born Lai Po Yu, (黎鍵，原名黎保裕), an observer. De facto successors to master performers, Lee Bo Ying, Lam Kar Sing, and Loong Kim Sang all left the stage in or before 1993, last watershed moment of Cantonese opera for Hong Kong and beyond in the 20th century. The consequences are also significant and long lasting. Unlike Fong and Loong, Yam and Lee never returned.

For the rest of her life, Yam didn't even take the bow at curtain calls although she was in the audience on most days that Loong's troupe performed in Hong Kong. Comfortable enough around Yam, Yuen called Yam lazy because she did not comment on some cake served backstage in those days.

All for naught

Local Teochew opera troupes lost their ground regarding live-on-stage Ghost Festival opera performances when the business environment was destroyed. Since then, the Teochew category disappeared in Hong Kong.

Chan Kim-seng, the former chairperson of Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, saw similar threats towards Cantonese opera and fought tooth and nail for job security of members. Chan, Representative Inheritor of Cantonese opera in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, passed away on 19 August 2013.^[19]

Characteristics

Cantonese opera shares many common characteristics with other Chinese theatre genres. Commentators often take pride in the idea that all Chinese theatre styles are similar but with minor variations on the pan-Chinese music-theatre tradition and the basic features or principles are consistent from one local performance form to another. Thus, music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting are all featured in Cantonese opera. Most of the plots are based on Chinese history and famous Chinese classics and myths. Also, the culture and philosophies of the Chinese people can be seen in the plays. Virtues (like loyalty, love, patriotism and faithfulness) are often reflected by the operas.

Some particular features of Cantonese opera are:

1. Cing sik sing (程式性; Jyutping: cing⁴ sik¹ sing³) – formulaic, formalised.
2. Heoi ji sing (虛擬性; Jyutping: heoi¹ ji⁵ sing³) – abstraction of reality, distancing from reality.
3. Sin ming sing (鮮明性; Jyutping: sin¹ ming⁴ sing³) – clear-cut, distinct, unambiguous, well-defined.
4. Zung hap ngai seot jing sik (綜合藝術形式; Jyutping: zung³ hap⁶ ngai⁶ seot⁶ jing⁴ sik¹) – a composite or synthetic art form.
5. Sei gung ng faat (四功五法; Pinyin: sì gōng wǔ fǎ, Jyutping: sei³ gung¹ ng⁵ faat³) – the four skills and the five methods.

The four skills and five methods are a simple codification of training areas that theatre performers must master and a metaphor for the most well-rounded and thoroughly-trained performers. The four skills apply to the whole spectrum of vocal and dramatic training: singing, acting/movements, speech delivery, and martial/gymnastic skills; while the five methods are categories of techniques associated with specific body parts: hands, eyes, body, hair, and feet/walking techniques.

The acting, acrobat, music and singing, live on stage, are well known as essential characteristics of live performances in theaters. Recordings did not replace the human voice backstage behind prop only when choir members were actually introduced to the audience at curtain call.

Significance

Before widespread formal education, Cantonese opera taught morals and messages to its audiences rather than being solely entertainment. The government used theatre to promote the idea of be loyal to the emperor and love the country (忠君愛國). Thus, the government examined the theatre frequently and would ban any theatre if a harmful message was conveyed or considered. The research conducted by Lo showed that Cantonese Operatic Singing also relates older people to a sense of collectivism, thereby contributing to the maintenance of interpersonal relationships and promoting successful ageing. (Lo, 2014).^[20] Young people construct the rituals of learning Cantonese opera as an important context for their personal development.^[21]

Operas of Deities

Cantonese opera is a kind of Operas of Deities. Operas for Deities are often performed in celebration of folk festivals, birthdays of deities, establishments or renovations of altars and temples.^[22] A community organises a performance of opera, which is used to celebrate the birth of the gods or to cooperate with the martial arts activities, such as "Entertaining People and Entertaining God" and "God and People". These performances can be called " Operas for Deities ". This king of acting originated from the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. It was also called the sacred drama in the performance of God's birthday. It is a meritorious deed for God.^[23] According to the study, most of the Cantonese operas in Hong Kong belong to the Operas for Deities, and the nature of the preparations of the "God Circus" can be broadly divided into three categories: the celebration of the gods, the Hungry Ghost Festival, the Taiping Qing Dynasty, the temple opening and the traditional festival celebrations.^[24] In the 1960s−1970s, the Chinese opera was at a low ebb. However, due to the support of Opera for Deities, some of the troupes can be continue to perform. In the 1990s, the total performance rate of Operas for Deities has been reduced from two-thirds to two-fifths in the 1980s, there is no such thing as a performance in the Cantonese opera industry.^[25]

Performers and roles

Types of play

There are two types of Cantonese opera plays: Mou (武, "martial arts") and Man (文, "highly educated", esp. in poetry and culture). Mou plays emphasize war, the characters usually being generals or warriors. These works contain action scenes and involve a lot of weaponry and armour. Man plays tend to be gentler and more elegant. Scholars are the main characters in these plays. Water sleeves are used extensively in man plays to produce movements reflecting the elegance and tenderness of the characters; all female characters wear them. In man plays, characters put a lot of effort into creating distinctive facial expressions and gestures to express their underlying emotions.

Roles

There are four types of roles: Sang (Sheng), Daan (Dan), Zing (Jing), and Cau (Chou).

Sang

The Sang (生; Sheng) are male roles. As in other Chinese operas, there are different types of male roles, such as:

• Siu² Sang¹ (小生) – Literally, young gentleman, this role is known as a young scholar.
• Mou⁵ Sang¹ (武生) – Male warrior role.
• Siu² Mou⁵ Sang¹ (小武生) – Young Warrior (usually not lead actor but a more acrobatic role).
• Man⁴ Mou⁵ Sang¹ (文武生) – Literally, civilized martial man, this role is known as a clean-shaven scholar-warrior. Actresses for close to a century, of three generations and with huge successes worldwide, usually perform this male role are Yam Kim Fai (mentor and first generation), Loong Kim Sang (protégée and second generation), Koi Ming Fai and Lau Wai Ming (the two youngest listed below both by age and by experience).
• Lou⁵ Sang¹ (老生) – Old man role.
• Sou¹ Sang¹ (鬚生) – Bearded role

Daan

The Daan (旦; Dan) are female roles. The different forms of female characters are:

• Faa¹ Daan² (花旦) – Literally 'flower' of the ball, this role is known as a young belle.
• Yi⁶ Faa¹ Daan² (二花旦) – Literally, second flower, this role is known as a supporting female.
• Mou⁵ Daan² (武旦) – Female warrior role.
• Dou¹ Maa⁵ Daan² (刀馬旦) – Young woman warrior role.
• Gwai¹ Mun⁴ Daan² (閨門旦) – Virtuous lady role.
• Lou⁵ Daan² (老旦) – Old woman role.

Zing

The Zing (淨; Jing) are known for painted-faces. They are often male characters such as heroes, generals, villains, gods, or demons. Painted-faces are usually:

• Man⁴ Zing² (文淨) – Painted-face character that emphasizes singing.
• Mou⁵ Zing² (武淨) – Painted-face character that emphasizes martial arts.

Some characters with painted-faces are:

• Zhang Fei (張飛; Zœng¹ Fei¹) and Wei Yan (魏延; Ngai⁶ Jin⁴) from Three Humiliations of Zhou Yu (三氣周瑜; Saam¹ Hei³ Zau¹ Jyu⁴).
• Xiang Yu (項羽; Hong⁶ Jyu⁵) from The Hegemon-King Bids His Concubine Farewell (霸王別姬; Baa³ Wong⁴ Bit⁶ Gei¹).
• Sun Wukong (孫悟空; Syun¹ Ng⁶ Hung¹) and Sha Wujing (沙悟凈; Saa¹ Ng⁶ Zing⁶) from Journey to the West (西遊記; Sai¹ Jau⁴ Gei³).

Cau

The Cau (丑; Chou) are clownish figures. Some examples are:

• Cau² Sang¹ (丑生) – Male clown.
• Cau² Daan² (丑旦) – Female clown.
• Man⁴ Cau² (文丑) – Clownish civilized male.
• Coi² Daan² (彩旦) – Older female clown.
• Mou⁵ Cau² (武丑) – Acrobatic comedic role.

Notable people

Major Cantonese Opera artists

Major Cantonese Opera (Stage) Career Artists^[26] include:

English Name	Chinese	Notes
Bak Sheut Sin	白雪仙
Wong Chin Sui^IMDb	黃千歲	HKMDB
Mak Bing-wing	麥炳榮	IMDb HKMDB ^[27]
Sun Ma Sze Tsang	新馬師曾
Kwan Tak Hing	關德興
Luo Pinchao	羅品超
Chan Kam-Tong	陳錦棠(武狀元)	IMDb1 IMDb2 HKMDB
Yam Bing-yee	任冰兒^[28] (二幫王)	^[29]
Lee Heung Kam	李香琴
Lam Kar Sing	林家聲(薛腔)	^[30]
Ho Fei Fan^IMDb	何非凡(凡腔)	HKMDB
Tang Bik-wan	鄧碧雲(萬能旦后)
Leung Sing Poh	梁醒波(丑生王)
Lang Chi Bak^[31]^IMDb	靚次伯(武生王)	HKMDB
Tam Lan-Hing	譚蘭卿(丑旦)	IMDb1 IMDb2 HKMDB
Au Yeung Kim^IMDb	歐陽儉	HKMDB

• Kai Tak Amusement Park [zh] nurtured generation.

English Name	Chinese	Notes
Man Chin Sui*	文千歲
Yuen Siu Fai*	阮兆輝	^[32]
Wong Chiu Kwan*	王超群	^[33]
Yan Fei Yin*	尹飛燕	^[34]
Ng May Ying*	吴美英	^[35]^[36]
Nan Feng*	南凤	^[37]
Law Kar-ying*	羅家英	^[38]
Leung Hon-wai*	梁漢威

The Female Leads

This is a list of female Cantonese opera performers who are known for female leads (Chinese: 文武全才旦后):

Actress Name	Chinese	Notes
Fung Wong-Nui	鳳凰女	Started performing Cantonese opera at age 13.^[39]^[40]
Law Yim-hing	羅艷卿	Started training on Cantonese opera at age 10.^[40]
Yu Lai-Zhen	余麗珍	Started performing Cantonese opera at age 16. ^[40] hkmdb
Ng Kwun Lai	吳君麗	^[40]^[41]
Chan Ho-Kau	陳好逑	^[40]
Chan Yim Nung	陳艷儂	IMDb HKMDB

Female Vocal Styles

This is a list of female Cantonese opera performers who are known for her own female vocal styles (著名旦腔):

Actress Name	Chinese	Notes
Sheung Hoi-Mui	上海妹(妹腔)	IMDb, HKMDB
Lee Suet-Fong	李雪芳(祭塔腔)	IMDb HKMDB ^[42]
Hung Sin Nui	紅線女(紅腔)
Fong Yim Fun	芳艷芬(芳腔)	Fong-style or the Fong tone.^[43]^[44]^[45] HKMDB
Lee Bo-Ying	李寶瑩(芳腔)	^[46]IMDb HKMDB

The Male Leads

This is a list of female Cantonese opera performers who are known worldwide for singing and performing as male leads. They each has or had spent decades on stage, managed own troupe and established own repertoire as career performers.(著名女文武生): ^[47]

Actress Name	Chinese	Notes
Yam Kim Fai	任劍輝(任腔)	Last on stage in 1969.(40 years)
Loong Kim Sang	龍劍笙(任腔)	First time on stage in 1961.(60 years)
Koi Ming Fai	蓋鳴暉	Finished training in 1980s. (30 years)
Lau Wai Ming	劉惠鳴	Finished training in 1980s. (30 years)
Cecelia Lee Fung-Sing	李鳳聲	Not notable^[48]^[49]^[50]

Great Male Vocals

This is a list of female Cantonese opera singers who are known as Four Great Male Vocals (平喉四大天王):

Actress Name	Chinese	Notes
Tsuih Lau Seen	徐柳仙(仙腔)	^[51]IMDb HKMDB
Siu Meng Sing	小明星(星腔)	^[51]^[52]IMDb HKMDB
Cheung Yuet Yee	張月兒	^[51]IMDb HKMDB
Cheung Waih Fong	張惠芳	^[51]

Four Super Stars

This is a list of male Cantonese opera performers who are known as Four Super Stars (四大天王):

Actor Name	Chinese
Sit Gok Sin^IMDb1^IMDb2	薛覺先(薛腔)^HKMDB
Ma Sze Tsang^IMDb1^IMDb2	馬師曾^HKMDB
Kwai Ming Yeung^IMDb	桂名揚^HKMDB^[53]^[54]
Bak Yuk Tong^IMDb1^IMDb2	白玉堂^HKMDB

Four Super Clowns

This is a list of male Cantonese opera performers who are known as Four Super Clowns (Cau) (四大名丑):

Actor Name	Chinese
Boon Yat On^IMDb	半日安^HKMDB
Lee Hoi-Chuen	李海泉
Liu Hap Wai^IMDb	廖俠懷^HKMDB
Ye Funuo^IMDb	葉弗弱^HKMDB

 

Fong Yim Fun performing outside the realm of Cantonese opera in 1953

Visual elements

Makeup

 

A female general

Applying makeup for Cantonese opera is a long and specialized process. One of the most common styles is the "white and red face": an application of white foundation and a red color around the eyes that fades down to the bottom of cheeks. The eyebrows are black and sometimes elongated. Usually, female characters have thinner eyebrows than males. There is black makeup around the eyes with a shape similar to the eyes of a Chinese phoenix (鳳眼; fung⁶ ngaan⁵). Lipstick is usually bright red (口唇膏; hau² seon⁴ gou¹).

A female-role actress is in the processes of applying her markup: spreading a creamy. foundation on her cheeks and forehead; putting blusher on her cheeks, eyelids and both sides of the nose; darling her eyebrows and drawing eye-lines and eye-shadows; pasting hairpieces around her face to create an oval-shaped look; lipstick has been put on prior to this; placing hairpins on the hairpiece.^[55]

Actors are given temporary facelifts by holding the skin up with a ribbon on the back of the head. This lifts the corners of the eyes, producing an authoritative look.

Each role has its own style of make-up: the clown has a large white spot in the middle of his face, for example. A sick character has a thin red line pointing upwards in between his eyebrows. Aggressive and frustrated character roles often have an arrow shape fading into the forehead in between the eyebrows (英雄脂; jing¹ hung⁴ zi¹).

Strong male characters wear "open face" (開面; hoi¹ min⁴) makeup. Each character's makeup has its own distinct characteristics, with symbolic patterns and coloration.

Costumes

 

An exhibition displaying opera costumes

Costumes correspond to the theme of the play and indicate the character being portrayed. Costumes also indicate the status of the characters. Lower-status characters, such as females, wear less elaborate dresses, while those of higher rank have more decorative costumes.

Prominent performers (大老倌) listed above, playing the six main characters (generally a combination of 2 Sang, 2 Daan, Zing, and Cau), are usually supposed to pay for their own costumes. Over time, these performers would reinvest their income into their wardrobe which would give an indication of their success. A performer's wardrobe would be either sold or passed on to another performer upon retirement.

To career performers, sequin costumes are essential for festive performances at various "Bamboo Theatres" (神功戲).^[56] These costumes, passed from generation to generation of career performers, are priceless according to some art collectors. With time, the materials used for the costumes changed. From the 1950s to the 1960s, sequins were the most prevalent material used for designing the costumes. Nowadays, designers tends to use rhinestones or foil fabric (閃布). Compared to sequins, rhinestones and foil fabric are lighter. However, many older generation performers continue to use sequins and they regard them as more eye-catching on stage.^[57]

Most of the costumes in Cantonese Opera come from traditional design. Since costume design is largely taught through apprenticeships, costume design remains largely constant. Some designers are taught the skill from family members, inheriting a particular style.^[58]

In 1973, Yam Kim Fai gave Loong Kim Sang, her protégée, the complete set of sequin costumes needed for career debut leading her own commercial performance at Chinese New Year Bamboo Theatre.^[59][60]

Some costumes from famous performers, such as Lam Kar Sing^[30] and Ng Kwun-Lai,^[41] are on loan or donation to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

Hairstyle, hats, and helmets

 

A Cantonese opera exhibit at the Hong Kong Museum of History, 2008.

Hats and helmets signify social status, age and capability: scholars and officials wear black hats with wings on either side; generals wear helmets with pheasants' tail feathers; soldiers wear ordinary hats, and kings wear crowns. Queens or princesses have jeweled helmets. If a hat or helmet is removed, this indicates the character is exhausted, frustrated, or ready to surrender.

Hairstyles can express a character's emotions: warriors express their sadness at losing a battle by swinging their ponytails. For the female roles, buns indicated a maiden, while a married woman has a 'dai tau' (Chinese: 低頭).

In the Three Kingdoms legends, Zhao Yun and especially Lü Bu are very frequently depicted wearing helmets with pheasants' tail feathers; this originates with Cantonese opera, not with the military costumes of their era, although it's a convention that was in place by the Qing Dynasty or earlier.

Aural elements

Speech types

Commentators draw an essential distinction between sung and spoken text, although the boundary is a troublesome one. Speech-types are of a wide variety: one is nearly identical to standard conversational Cantonese, while another is a very smooth and refined delivery of a passage of poetry; some have one form or another of instrumental accompaniment while others have none; and some serve fairly specific functions, while others are more widely adaptable to variety of dramatic needs.

Cantonese opera uses Mandarin or Guān Huà (Cantonese: Gun¹ Waa^6/2) when actors are involved with government, monarchy, or military. It also obscures words that are taboo or profane from the audience. The actor may choose to speak any dialect of Mandarin, but the ancient Zhōngzhōu (Chinese: 中州; Jyutping: Zung¹ Zau¹) variant is mainly used in Cantonese opera. Zhōngzhōu is located in the modern-day Henan province where it is considered the "cradle of Chinese civilization" and near the Yellow River. Guān Huà retains many of the initial sounds of many modern Mandarin dialects, but uses initials and codas from Middle Chinese. For example, the words 張 and 將 are both pronounced as /tsœːŋ˥˥/ (Jyutping: zœng¹) in Modern Cantonese, but will respectively be spoken as /tʂɑŋ˥˥/ (pinyin: zhāng) and /tɕiɑŋ˥˥/ (pinyin: jiāng) in operatic Guān Huà. Furthermore, the word 金 is pronounced as /kɐm˥˥/ (Jyutping: gam¹) in modern Cantonese and /tɕin˥˥/ (pinyin: jīn) in standard Mandarin, but operatic Guān Huà will use /kim˥˥/ (pinyin: gīm). However, actors tend to use Cantonese sounds when speaking Mandarin. For instance, the command for "to leave" is 下去 and is articulated as /saː˨˨ tsʰɵy˧˧/ in operatic Guān Huà compared to /haː˨˨ hɵy˧˧ / (Jyutping: haa⁶ heoi³) in modern Cantonese and /ɕi̯ɑ˥˩ tɕʰy˩/ (pinyin: xià qu) in standard Mandarin.

Music

 

Recognize Mutually (帝女花 之 相認)

There are actually two female singers with Yam Kim Fai and Bak Sheut Sin in this sample. Yam Kim Fai is using her trademark indistinguishable male voice behind the Cantonese opera disguise. Only traditional Chinese instruments are used.

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Cantonese opera pieces are classified either as "theatrical" or "singing stage" (歌壇). The theatrical style of music is further classified into western music (西樂) and Chinese music (中樂). While the "singing stage" style is always Western music, the theatrical style can be Chinese or western music. The "four great male vocals" (四大平喉) were all actresses and notable exponents of the "singing stage" style in the early 20th century.

The western music in Cantonese opera is accompanied by strings, woodwinds, brass plus electrified instruments. Lyrics are written to fit the play's melodies, although one song can contain multiple melodies, performers being able to add their own elements. Whether a song is well performed depends on the performers' own emotional involvement and ability.

Musical instruments

 

Bāngzi (梆子) is one of the main instruments used in Cantonese opera

Cantonese instrumental music was called ching yam before the People's Republic was established in 1949. Cantonese instrumental tunes have been used in Cantonese opera, either as incidental instrumental music or as fixed tunes to which new texts were composed, since the 1930s.

The use of instruments in Cantonese opera is influenced by both western and eastern cultures. The reason for this is that Canton was one of the earliest places in China to establish trade relationships with the western civilizations. In addition, Hong Kong was under heavy western influence when it was a British colony. These factors contributed to the observed western elements in Cantonese opera.

For instance, the use of erhu (two string bowed fiddle), saxophones, guitars and the congas have demonstrated how diversified the musical instruments in Cantonese operas are.

The musical instruments are mainly divided into melodic and percussive types.

Traditional musical instruments used in Cantonese opera include wind, strings and percussion. The winds and strings encompass erhu, gaohu, yehu, yangqin, pipa, dizi, and houguan, while the percussion comprises many different drums and cymbals. The percussion controls the overall rhythm and pace of the music, while the gaohu leads the orchestra. A more martial style features the use of the suona.

The instrumental ensemble of Cantonese opera is composed of two sections: the melody section and the percussion section. The percussion section has its own vast body of musical materials, generally called lo gu dim (鑼鼓點) or simply lo gu (鑼鼓). These 'percussion patterns' serve a variety of specific functions.

To see the pictures and listen to the sounds of the instruments, visit page 1 and page 2.

Terms

This is a list of frequently used terms.

• Pheasant feathers (雉雞尾; Cantonese: Ci⁴ Gai¹ Mei⁵)

These are attached to the helmet in mou (武) plays, and are used to express the character's skills and expressions. They are worn by both male and female characters.

• Water sleeves (水袖; Cantonese: Seoi² Zau⁶)

These are long flowing sleeves that can be flicked and waved like water, used to facilitate emotive gestures and expressive effects by both males and females in man (文) plays.

• Hand Movements (手動作; Cantonese: Sau² Dung⁶ Zok³)

Hand and finger movements reflect the music as well as the action of the play. Females hold their hands in the elegant "lotus" form (荷花手; Cantonese: Ho4 Faa1 Sau2).

• Round Table/Walking (圓臺 or 圓台; Cantonese: Jyun⁴ Toi⁴)

A basic feature of Cantonese opera, the walking movement is one of the most difficult to master. Females take very small steps and lift the body to give a detached feel. Male actors take larger steps, which implies travelling great distances. The actors glide across the stage while the upper body is not moving.

• Boots (高靴; Cantonese: Gou¹ Hœ¹)

These are black boots with high white soles worn by males, which can impede walking.

• Gwo Wai (過位; Cantonese: Gwo³ Wai^6/2)

This is a movement in which two performers move in a cross-over fashion to opposite sides of the stage.

• Deoi Muk (對目; Cantonese: Deoi³ Muk⁶)

In this movement, two performers walk in a circle facing each other and then go back to their original positions.

• "Pulling the Mountains"' (拉山; Cantonese: Laai¹ Saan¹) and "Cloud Hands" (雲手; Cantonese: Wan⁴ Sau²)

These are the basic movements of the hands and arms. This is the MOST important basic movement in ALL Chinese Operas. ALL other movements and skills are based on this form.

• Outward Step (出步; Cantonese: Ceot¹ Bou⁶)

This is a gliding effect used in walking.

• Small Jump (小跳; Cantonese: Siu² Tiu³)

Most common in mou (武) plays, the actor stamps before walking.

• Flying Leg (飛腿; Cantonese: Fei¹ Teoi²)

A crescent kick.

• Hair-flinging (旋水髮; Cantonese: Syun⁴ Seoi² Faat³)

A circular swinging of the ponytail, expressing extreme sadness and frustration.

• Chestbuckle/ Flower (繡花; Cantonese: Sau³ Faa¹)

A flower-shaped decoration worn on the chest. A red flower on the male signifies that he is engaged.

• Horsewhip (馬鞭; Cantonese: Maa⁵ Bin¹)

Performers swing a whip and walk to imitate riding a horse.

• Sifu (師傅; Cantonese: Si¹ Fu^6/2)

Literally, master, this is a formal term, contrary to mentor, for experienced performers and teachers, from whom their own apprentices, other students and young performers learn and follow as disciples.

See also

• Cantopop
• Red Boat Opera Company
• Music of China
• Music of Hong Kong
• Culture of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Heritage Museum
• Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong

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External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cantonese opera.

• Bay Area Cantonese Opera
• More Cantonese Opera Artists
• (original at barnard.edu)