LCSD to launch two talks on art of Kunqu opera in August

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present two talks on the art of Kunqu opera under the theme "In Memory of Our Leading Lights in the Kunqu World" in August. Through introducing four important figures in the field of Kunqu who passed away earlier this year, the talks will review these figures' artistic achievements and contributions so that audiences can learn more about the unique artistic features and development of this traditional Chinese opera genre.
 
     Kunqu opera has been described as "the mother of Chinese operas", and was listed by UNESCO as one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2001. The two talks on the art of Kunqu opera will be hosted by seasoned Kunqu art researcher Cheung Lai-chun, with details as follows:
 
Topic: Zhang Jiqing and Hua Wenyi: Charismatic Divas in Contemporary Kunqu
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Date and time: August 14 (Sunday), 3pm
 
Famous Kunqu performance artists Zhang Jiqing and Hua Wenyi made the opera characters in the hearts of audiences come alive with their own distinctive styles, and left behind countless classics. The talk will revisit their brilliant portrayal of Du Liliang, a female protagonist of "The Peony Pavilion", to provide a glimpse of their artistic achievements.
 
Topic: Gu Duhuang and Koo Siu-sun: Faithful Defenders of Kunqu Heritage
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Date and time: August 27 (Saturday), 3pm
 
Gu Duhuang, who was hailed as an "eminent literary figure of Jiangnan", and Koo Siu-sun, who was a prominent cultural figure in Hong Kong, were devoted to the preservation of the art of Kunqu for decades. This session will review the contributions and efforts of the two scholars in various aspects such as directing, scriptwriting and research on Kunqu opera, thereby enabling audiences to gain a better understanding of the importance of inheriting and preserving Kunqu, a gem of Chinese culture.
 
     Cheung, the host of the talks, has been dedicated to promoting the art of Kunqu opera over the years. She learned Kunqu under Kunqu opera virtuoso Le Yiping in 1988, and was a part-time instructor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of the Hong Kong Baptist University, and taught courses on the art of Kunqu. She is currently a member of the Kunqu Research and Development Committee of the Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture and Chairperson of the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong.
 
     The two talks in Cantonese will take place at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Each talk will last for about one and a half hours. Admission is free. Telephone registration is required and can be made by calling 2268 7267 from 10am today (July 28). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1356.html.
 
     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, members of the public are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the performing arts venues managed by the LCSD for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass.