Guangdong is the birth
place of Cantonese opera. There are many Cantonese opera troupes in Guangdong.
Below are some of the more established ones:
The
Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe,
established since 1953, had performed not only in China but also overseas in
U.S.A., Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. Veteran opera artistes like Lor Bun
Chew, Hong Xian Nu and Chan Siew Fung were from this troupe. The present leading
artistes are Ai Wai Ying and Lai Jun Sing.
This troupe performed the new opera "Hua Yuet Ying at The
Esplanade Theatre, Singapore from 04.06.04 to 06.06.04 during the Annual Arts
Festival.
The Foshan
Cantonese Opera Troupe
was formed in 1956. Well known opera artistes Wong Wai Kuan, Pang Ji Kuen, Cho
Sau Kum and Ng Gok Wah were former leading artistes of this troupe. The troupe
performed to packed audiences in Singapore in 1986, 1990, 1993 and 1998.The troupe is now led by Lay Soke Kan and Gwai Wah Sing.
The Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe was
formed in 1974. The troupe performed in Singapore in 1987, 1992 and 2002 . The
leading artistes are Wong Wai Kuan, Fung Gong Ai and Soh Cun Mui and Lay Cui
Cui. Soh Cun Mui is a
disciple of legendary opera diva Hong Xian Nu.
The Zhangjiang Cantonese Opera Troupefrom
the Guangdong province of China is well known for the good scale of its
performances and high professionalism of its artistes. The troupe is led by the
famous artiste Hong Jue Ping. The troupe performed in Singapore in 1989, 1994,
1998 and 2000, and opera fans were impressed by its members skill in both opera
singing and martial arts. The troupe's present leading artistes are Leong
Siew Ming and Mak Mun Kit.
The
Zhaoqing CantoneseOpera Troupe
formed in 1960 was led by Tsang Wai, Ng Gim Ming and Lay Chow Yuen. The troupe
performed in Singapore in 2001.With
guest artistes Wong Wai Kuan, Yuen Siu Fai, Yew Ji Keong, Lay Loong and Pang Ji
Kuen, it presented 17 operas of different themes. It was the first time that
Singapore’s opera fans were treated with full length operas by different male
artistes from China and Hong Kong. In 2004, Tsang Wai left the troupe
and a young artiste Leong Yoke has replaced her as the leading female
artiste.
The Hong Dou Cantonese Opera Troupe
with leading artistes Tsang Wai, Ow Hoi Ming, Yeung Siu Chow and
Cheong Hong Ping. This
troupeperformed in Singaporein 2002, 2003 and 2004.
The Zhu
Hai Cantonese Opera Troupe
formerly led by well known artistes Yew Ji Keong and Keng Har performed in Singapore 1998.
Since the departure of Yew Ji Keong and Keng Har, the troupe is led
by young and budding artistes Leong Kai Yung, Zhu Nu, Yow Siu Nor and Hor Ying
Wah. Leong is a student of veteran Cantonese opera artiste Lor Gar Bo.
The
Guangdong Academy Of Cantonese Opera First Troupe
which performed in Singapore several times, is led by Ding Fan, Lam Gar Bo and Jurn Mun
Duen and Mun Yu Ching.
The
Guangdong Cantonese Opera Second Troupe
is led by
Leong
Yew On and Mak Yuk Ching.
The Shun De Cantonese Opera Troupe
was formed in 1994. The leading artistes are Koi Sai Ying, Choy Yuk Yue and Lau
Lan Hing.
The
Guangdong Academy Of Cantonese Opera Youth Troupe, formed in 2004 is led
by young artistes Pang Hing Wah, Tsang Siu Mun and a group of young
artistes.
