The West Kowloon Cultural District Xiqu Centre presented the Experimental Cantonese Opera "Farewell My Concubine" (New Adaptation) at the National Gugak Center in Seoul, Korea, yesterday and today (September 20 and 21).
Cantonese opera was inscribed onto the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, making it the first item of the world intangible cultural heritage from Hong Kong.
The Experimental Cantonese Opera "Farewell My Concubine" (New Adaptation) blends tradition and innovation, combining traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design elements. It reminisces about the last moments of a hero caught between reality and illusion, while presenting the style of Cantonese opera from the past to the present. This production has received various awards, including being part of the "40 Most Influential Experimental Theatres in Contemporary China" from the 40th Anniversary of Experimental Theatre in China (Beijing) in 2022; an "Honorary Credential Award" at the Xiqu Opera Black Box Festival (Beijing) in 2018 and 2019; and recognition as "2017 Best Experimental Xiqu" by the first China (Beijing) Performing Arts Expo in 2018.
The performances by the Xiqu Centre in Seoul are supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo). The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said "The Experimental Cantonese Opera 'Farewell My Concubine' (New Adaptation) fully demonstrates the splendid and diverse characteristics of Cantonese opera, providing opportunities for Korean audiences to experience and understand this indigenous culture and art form, helping to foster a cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Korea."
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