Mu yu shu and cantonese opera lyrics books discovering. She is now considered a national treasure as a cantonese opera star and movie actress in china and hong kong. But since they werent familiar with cantonese opera, picking a story that all. Traditional chinese opera or xiqu, is a form of musical theatre in china with roots going back to. Generally, the stories are told well, in a way that would be. The story of cantonese opera theatres preface a favourite symbol of local culture, cantonese opera is a chinese art form that is as refined as it is popular. Many teachers only teach difficult cantonese opera songs to children who dont understand the true significance behind the stories. Cantonese opera sung in english to western and chinese music. Cantonese opera is often based on chinese history and mythology and its makeup is the most distinctive among the different forms of opera. As such, they would seem to fit squarely within a broader chinese tradition of very short fiction. Chinatown opera theater in north america is a treasure trove that celebrates the transnational development of cantonese opera in north america in the 1920s. Siu wangngai photographs chinese opera in his book.
This body of folktales have been influenced both by the culture of han chinese and that of nanyue, the original baiyue inhabitants of the region before sinicization occurred. The text brings to life many stories of the struggles and successes of the chinese in edmonton, highlighting their. Chinese opera is thousands of years old and comprises 360 styles. Defined by its distinct performance style, stage practices, and regional and dialect based identities, cantonese opera originated as a traditional art form performed by itinerant companies in temple courtyards and rural market fairs. Moonfest 2015 cantonese opera classic excerpts youtube. The use of instruments in cantonese opera is influenced by both western and eastern cultures. Im not a connoisseur in this matter, but some really famous cantonese operas that most chinese people would know are.
The opera runs until monday at the sunbeam theatre, one of hong kongs longestablished traditional cantonese opera venues, created in 1972. Yung on ng, the rise of cantonese opera hmusic hnet. Oct 26, 2017 based on true stories and historical chinese events, performances serve to educate the audience about the countrys history and traditions by incorporating acrobatics, dance, and combat skills. The stories overlap to some extent with some of the most famous chinese novels, since the two genres have always borrowed liberally from each other, novels often being compilations of folk traditions, and folk tales and theatricals being extracted stories from novels until it is difficult to be sure which came first. Cantonese opera uses mandarin or guan hua cantonese.
One of the major styles of chinese opera, cantonese opera is a highly respected and muchloved art form that blends chinese legend, music and drama into a vibrant performance style thats rich with symbolic. Combining music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting, cantonese opera tells stories from chinese history. Apr 14, 2019 in cantonese opera, trump finds his twin brother in china president donald trump is the inspiration for trump on show, a fourday cantonese opera that reimagines the presidents personal life. Apr 12, 2019 when the citys famed sunbeam theater, which in its decadeslong history had become synonymous with cantonese opera in hong kong, was forced to close in 2012 due to a substantial rent increase. Lee is the hong kongbased author of two books on cantonese musical vernacular and a third, an introduction to cantonese opera music, scheduled for release this fall. It is popular in guangdong, guangxi, hong kong, macau and among. Using the various arts of singing, acting, chanting, and martial arts, among others, cantonese opera tells a story. The development of cantonese language is a story worth. Theatrical performances telling a story through acting, singing and dancing have a long. Unfortunately, the rise of cantopop and well as the arrival of western opera has ushered in an almost fatal decline in this traditional art form. Painted faces on the prairies cantonese opera and the edmonton chinese community. Music cantonese opera princess changping part of act 8. Cantonese opera, as the name suggests, is all in the cantonese language, and so, unfortunately, is much of the information surrounding the opera.
For information on purchasing the book in other territories, please contact university of illinois press. Images and stories marries colourful images with fascinating stories. Jan 10, 2015 various great pieces of cantonese opera play all share. Written by the awardwinning hong kong photographer siu wangngai and torontobased theatre scholar peter lovrick, chinese opera. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. Images and stories by siu wangngai with peter lovrick just in time to celebrate canadas year of the asia pacific comes the publication of a comprehensive book celebrating one of the worlds oldest theatrical treasures. In cantonese opera, trump finds his twin brother in china president donald trump is the inspiration for trump on show, a fourday cantonese opera that reimagines the presidents personal.
Most of the plots are based on chinese history and famous chinese classics and myths. A cantonese version of the opera made its debut at an arts festival in shanghai in 2007. Adapted from the classic novel water margin, this story tells of lin chongs. The opera princess changping tells the tragic love story of princess changping which happened during the last days of the ming dynasty. In cantonese opera, trump finds his twin brother in china. What i fear is the countereffect of teaching overly difficult pieces. The metropolitan operas book of opera stories for children 9780500278734. This opera has to be performed in cantonese, but of course. Nov 15, 20 i suspect that it is actually very significant that the orthodox wing chun genealogies claim that leung jan was influenced by the cantonese opera tradition during the mid 19 th century probably during the opera ban following the red turban revolt for reasons which i have discussed elsewhere. When the citys famed sunbeam theater, which in its decadeslong history had become synonymous with cantonese opera in hong kong, was forced to close in 2012 due to a substantial rent. Cantonese grammar book basic cantonese if youre really intent on getting a reference book, i have to recommend the classical basic cantonese grammar text by virginia yip and steven.
Oct 30, 2018 cantonese opera is often based on chinese history and mythology and its makeup is the most distinctive among the different forms of opera. The wisdom of wagners ring of the nibelung by roger scruton, the phantom of the opera by gaston leroux. Cantonese love stories is infinitely endearing to me, in a way no other englishlanguage book has been before. Chinese opera takes a unique approach, combining the national and various regional operas in a single book. Chinese traditional opera, history of chinese opera. What i fear is the countereffect of teaching overly difficult pieces which children cant relate to or interpret, says ma. This opera has to be performed in cantonese, but of course there will be some english in it, said loong koontin, a cantonese actor with more than 40 years of stage experience, who plays trump. When i was in hong kong last year during the summer, i couldnt resist buying at least a box of children books for my daughter to learn cantonese and traditional chinese characters. In 1981, hong kong photographer siu attended a performance of a cantonese opera, the jade bracelet, and took a few pictures. The origins of cantonese opera city university of hong kong. It also obscures words that are taboo or profane from the audience.
Images and stories by siu wangngai with peter lovrick is an excellent written introduction to chinese opera. Many troupes were forced to stage their performances under the cover of beijing opera troupes. Cantonese opera, a traditional theatre of chinas far south, is a distinctive form of drama found in hong kong and chinas guangdong region. Most are of the fairy tale variety, while a couple, carmen, aida are more mature in nature. Print illustration of zaju plays by yuan playwrights, a book of the wanli period 15721620. Gun 1 waa 6 2 when actors are involved with government, monarchy, or military. Two different types of plays make up the cantonese opera repertoiremo, meaning martial arts, and mun, or intellectualwherein the melodies are entirely secondary to the lyrics. Related story keep chinese opera alive by setting up academy. Mu yu shu, literally woodenfish books, are books of lyrics to certain types of folk songs and narrative songs primarily from hong kong. Rather, dung tells tales of the forgotten, the outliers who do not fit into any grand narrative of the citys political future. Farewell my concubine is rekindling hong kongs interest in. Costumes and makeup of cantonese opera the costumes of cantonese opera are made of silks and satins in bright colors. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author.
An invaluable guide for both casual opera fans and aficionados, 100 great operas is perhaps the most comprehensive and enjoyable volume of opera stories ever written. This epic love story has influenced and permeated millions of chinese households from around the. Standard stories from the operas by gladys davidson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Generally, the stories are told well, in a way that would be understandable to children. Cantonese opera is one of the grandest of the traditional musical theatres in china. Cantonese opera made not much advancement during that time. Their differences are mainly found in the music and topolect. The text brings to life many stories of the struggles and successes of the chinese in edmonton, highlighting their resiliency and love of life through the cultural practice of cantonese opera.
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. May 24, 2016 a cantonese version of the opera made its debut at an arts festival in shanghai in 2007. Cantonese opera costumes are colorful, intricate, and unique. Mo performances are fastpaced, involving stories of warfare, bravery and betrayal. Some of the more complicated stories are told in the firstperson and i think these are the best stories in the book.
The book introduces the reader to this unique theatrical form and tells the traditional stories that are its narrative foundation. It was also performed at another cultural festival in berlin last year. That series developed in 1985 into a fellowship from the royal photographic society and now, 30,000 pictures later, into this book. Rosenberg, jane, rosenberg, jane, pavarotti, luciano. It is rare to find any information on regional styles such as yue, sichuan, or hebei clapper. Booking directly with either of the theaters above can be. The themes of cantonese opera are mostly adapted from classic novels, legends, folk literature, and local anecdotes, even from foreign novels or operas, which creates a rich content in the plays, and makes people love it so much. A thirdgeneration member of a macau literati family, he pursued university and postgraduate studies in hong kong in art, literature and education. Consisting of a blend of operatic traditions from various parts of. Answered nov 16, 2015 author has 51 answers and 33. Hong kong kids love cantonese opera, even if they dont. As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any device with the free kindle app. Mar 17, 2014 chinese opera is thousands of years old and comprises 360 styles. Learn more about this fascinating side of vancouvers past at the book launch of moas latest publication, divine threads.
Cantonese opera news newspapers books scholar jstor february 2019 learn how and when to remove this. Introduction no subject has been more romanticized among students of guangdongs martial arts and wing chun practitioners in particular than the red boat companies of the. Cantonese folktales are folktales associated with the cantonese people, the dominant han chinese subgroup in the southern chinese twin provinces of guangdong and guangxi. Cantonese opera costumes a closeup of costume embroidery and designs. Based on true stories and historical chinese events, performances serve to educate the audience about the countrys history and traditions by incorporating acrobatics, dance, and combat skills. Most of the stories, which come from many different periods. Aug 06, 2017 sign in to like videos, comment, and subscribe. Book on chinese opera for english speakers, singapore news. Siu wangngai photographs chinese opera in his book, chinese. From its origins as a street show at the start of british rule to its peak as a fixture on the stage in. Most popular dramas were performed under makeshift theatre awnings xipeng out of doors. Today, cantonese opera still packs in the audiences in southern china, with professional troupes bolstered by an active community of amateur devotees. Siu wangngais extraordinary images, taken in natural light during performances, lovingly reveal the visual excitement of.
Each type of character has a variety of costumes to select from, so costuming is very flexible and up to the performer. The complete opera book the stories of the operas, together. Cantonese opera plays tell stories about chinese history, traditions, culture, and. The history of cantonese opera cannot be separated from the stories of individual opera performers, and the book gives sketches of some of the most famous. The story as told by this opera has some historical but many fictional elements. Foshan cantonese opera troupe china 27 sep 2015, sun, 5pm. Chinese opera looks at chinese society through an exciting series of photographs of operatic performances from many regions of the country.
The flower princess dae neui fa, a signature work this talented, highly respected playwright of cantonese opera produced during the peak of his creative career, proves to be an alltime favorite of. Tong, dik sang, ng, sonia, carlitz, katherine, yung, bell. The rise of cantonese opera by wing chung ng, hardcover. One of the major styles of chinese opera, cantonese opera is a highly respected and muchloved art form that blends chinese legend, music and drama into a vibrant performance style thats rich with symbolic meaning. This book investigates the creative process involved in the performance of these operas, in which as many as fifty or sixty singersactorsdancers and a dozen or more instrumentalists take part. The origin of cantonese opera can be dated back to the reign of emperor jiajing 15221566 of the ming dynasty. Today is the birthday of kuang jianlian better known by her stage name hung sinnui, but also known as hong xiannu, hong sinlui, hung hsiennu, hong sinloi. Cantonese opera is also known as guangdong drama since it is the dominant form of opera found in guangdong region.
This book is absolutely full of vivid and dramatic color photos, and it is also a written compendium of the back story of many of the operas, as well as the. These stories, written in 1998 and 1999 and newly translated from the cantonese by bonnie s. Anita mui opera song in memory of ygf by beep2222beep. This should not be a rare occurrence, and yet it is.
Cantonese opera is a traditional chinese art form that involves music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting. This section contains the plots of some commonly performed traditional chinese operas, which nearly always also turn out to be love stories. Consisting of a blend of operatic traditions from various parts of china, it first arose in the ming and qing dynasties and experienced its commercial heyday in the early twentieth century. Handcolored postcard of street theatrical, north china, 1920s retelling rather than translating the stories frees them from any single chinese source. Nov 26, 2015 im not a connoisseur in this matter, but some really famous cantonese operas that most chinese people would know are. The development of cantonese language is a story worth telling. The rise of cantonese opera hong kong university press. Painted faces on the prairies the university of alberta. Twentyfive vignettes of a city, dung kaicheung, bonnie s mcdougal trans, anders hansson trans penguin, july 2017 dungs stories clock in at about words each. Cantonese opera is a form of chinese opera that can trace its roots back to the 12th century. Books about opera 159 books meet your next favorite book.
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