Cantonese Opera
Two back-to-back opera events in a week highlighted the diversity of the Hong Kong art scene and the talents of its artists. On December 13, 2019, a total of 24 renowned Cantonese opera artists and musicians from Hong Kong collaborated with the San Francisco-based Duen Fung Ming Chinese Opera troupe to give a stunning performance at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. This was the final of the three performances presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco.
The Director of the SFETO, Mr Ivanhoe Chang spoke before the performance on December 13, 2019. He said the office was proud to sponsor the event, which offered an opportunity to promote this unique art form to a San Francisco audience.
“Few art forms can compare to Cantonese opera, with its colorful costumes, distinctive singing and music as well as a vibrant performance style that is rich with symbolic meaning,” said Mr Chang. “It is no wonder that Cantonese opera was included as part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is providing more opportunities for people in Hong Kong to enjoy Cantonese opera, which is popular with audiences in Hong Kong, both young and old, and continues to develop professional talent in this performing art,” he said.
Mr Chang encouraged the audience to visit Xiqu Centre, a venue dedicated to Chinese opera’s rich heritage, when they visit Hong Kong. “We welcome you to the Xiqu Centre to watch a performance at the Tea House Theatre while enjoying tea and dim sum,” he said.
Chamber Opera
Just a day before the Cantonese opera performance, SFETO supported another opera event. “Mila”, a chamber opera presented by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, was performed in San Francisco on December 12, 2019. Called “quirky, quintessentially Hong Kong, and bold” by Time magazine, “Mila” explores the cultural richness and diversity of Hong Kong and was produced by an international cast and creative team from the US, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Mr Chang welcomed the audience before the performance. He said this one-act opera had not only brought together a contemporary narrative that is pertinent in Hong Kong, but also promoted a meaningful cultural connection between East and West.
“Hong Kong is a dynamic and diverse cultural metropolis and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is very committed to the development of the arts. Our office also strives to promote the cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the western part of the US,” Mr Chang said.
He thanked the Asia Society for taking the production to San Francisco. The four-member cast comprises Hong Kong-born sopranos Amanda Li and Joanna Shao, New York-based bass-baritone Joseph Beutel and Manila-based soprano Stefanie Quintin. The creative team includes American-born composer Eli Marshall, New York-based music director Neal Goren, award-winning playwright Candace Chong and Hong Kong theatre director Chan Chu-hei.
The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, gives welcome remarks before the chamber opera “Mila” in San Francisco on December 12.
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 The Executive Director of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Ms Alice Mong (first right), the Executive Director of Asia Society Northern California, Ms Margaret Conley (second right)
and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang (second left), are pictured at the pre-performance reception for the chamber opera “Mila” in San Francisco on December 12.
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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, delivers welcome remarks at the Cantonese opera performance in San Francisco on December 13.
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Photo shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang (right ); Mr Liang Xiao Ming from Hong Kong (left); Ms Josephine Ma from San Francisco (second left), and Ms Law Yim Hing, the Artistic Director of the performances (second right) before Cantonese opera performance in San Francisco on December 13.
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The Cantonese Opera performance in San Francisco on December 13.
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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang (back row, center) with all artists and musicians at the Cantonese opera performance on December 13.
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