Hong Kong Arts Festival "Cantonese Opera Classics Circa 2023"Hong Kong Arts Festival

Fredric Mao creates the new classics of Cantonese opera

Hailed as the “Godfather of Drama”, theatre veteran Fredric Mao has had a career spanning 50 years. His distinguished accomplishments include acting, directing, teaching and research. In recent years, he has been dedicated to forging a new path for the creation of Cantonese operas for contemporary audiences.

Mao has closely collaborated with the Hong Kong Arts Festival to create critically acclaimed and innovative Cantonese opera productions during the past 10 years. For 2023, the HKAF has again invited Mao to create a new programme featuring three renowned excerpts from traditional repertoires, combining opera traditions with a modern theatre vision. New musical arrangements are an essential part of this approach.

The excerpts will be performed by a stellar cast hand-picked by Mao, who also rewrote the excerpts from the three operas: The Butterfly Cup from the Ming period; Romance of the Butterfly and Red Pear Blossoms adapted by Tong Tik-sang and made immortal by Cantonese opera giants Yam Kim-fai and Bak Suet-sin; as well as Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Dorgon, a Qing period classic.

Don’t miss this rare occasion to savour Cantonese opera classics remade for a new era.

Repertoire

Hiding the Boat adapted from The Butterfly Dream | Cast: Hong Hai, Xiaoyu
As Tian Yuchuan wanders on Turtle Mountain, he witnesses General Lu’s son, Lu Shikuan, killing a fisherman named Hu Yan. Tian avenges the fisherman by killing Lu Shikuan and is sought for prosecution by the Lu family, but is rescued by Hu Yan’s daughter, Hu Fenglian. They briefly part ways after their engagement on a boat. Fenglian seeks help from the Tian family, showing them the butterfly cup Yuchuan gifted her, and decides to seek justice for her deceased father.

Secret Vow adapted from Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Dorgon | Cast: Wai Chun-fai, Shirley Lin
The Empress Dowager was the consort of Emperor Taizong of the Qing dynasty, Hong Taiji. After his death, she joins hands with his brother, Dorgon, in enthroning her young son, Fulin, who later becomes the Shunzhi Emperor. Since they used to be in love, Dorgon, serving as Prince Regent, forces the Empress Dowager back into a relationship.

Peeking at the Drunk adapted from The Butterfly and Red Pear Blossoms | Cast: Wang Zhiliang, Lin Ying-shi
Zhao Ruzhou, a talented scholar from Shandong, and Xie Suqiu, a famous courtesan from Bianjing, have been soulmates for three years and are eager to see each other. To flee from the persecution of Prime Minister Wang, Suqiu hides in the house of Ruzhou’s friend. In an attempt to keep her identity a secret, Suqiu decides to pass herself off as the late Mayor Wang’s daughter, Yulian.

- Approx. 2 hrs incl. one interval
- Performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles
- The Post-Performance Meet-the-Artist session will be conducted in Cantonese
- Commissioned and produced by the Hong Kong Arts Festival