Love on the Stage: A Little History of Cantonese Opera

Love on the Stage: A Little History of Cantonese Opera
By Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles
Guangdong Institute for Literature and Art
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-84464-682-1
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-84464-683-8
Hardback - 134 pages
November 2021
English
£65 €78 $98
Description:
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture: Three Treasures of Lingnan Series is a set of brief and illustrated introductions to three traditional art forms -- Guangdong opera, Lingnan school of painting and Guangdong music -- in south China. We hope these three riveting books, including Love on the Stage, Beauty of Colors and Cadence of Strings, can attract more overseas readers who love Chinese and Lingnan culture to explore further their artistic and unique charm and history.
Love on the Stage: A Little History of Cantonese Opera mainly focuses on the birth and growth of Cantonese Opera, the trend of Contemporary Cantonese Opera, the artistic features of Cantonese Opera, the legacy of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong and Macao and the spread of Cantonese Opera overseas. There are also a list of the Cantonese Opera Celebrities. It also introduces the relations of Cantonese opera and Cantonese culture.
Since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978 and with
the rise of China's economy, Chinese culture has become more and more influential in the world. As an important part of Chinese culture, Lingnan culture plays a key role and it manifests itself most notably in art, Cantonese opera, architecture and food. More and more young people of the overseas Chinese need to know the root and development of culture of their parents and ancestors. Moreover, foreigners who are interested in Chinese culture and history also want to learn this remarkable and robust culture.
Content:
Preface
Pioneers and Prosperity—Flowering of Cantonese Opera
Change: Lofty Aspirations and Innovation
Prosperity: Grand Troupe of Guangdong
Big Hit: Opera Performers and Film Stars
Joint Performance: Actor and Actress on the Same Stage
Glory: Competition between Two Masters
Cantonese Folk Songs—Birth and Growth of Cantonese Opera
Root: Entertaining Songs
Embryo: Singing Style
Wandering Troupe: The Red Boat Brothers
Uprising: Li Wenmao Declared Himself King
Self-Help: Establishment of the Opera Guild
The Rise: Revival of the Cantonese Opera
Gods of Opera: Unique Worship in Theatrical Circle
Heritage and Innovation—Trend of Contemporary Cantonese Opera
New Role: Fighting against Japanese Invaders
Rebirth: Bright New Look
Setbacks: Flowering at the Other Side
Revival: The New Enthusiasm
Guarding: Joint Efforts
Innovation: Avant-Garde
Adopt Others’ Strong Points—Artistic Features of Cantonese Opera
Singing Style: Bangzi plus Erhuang Incorporating Diverse Singing Styles
Music: Integration of the East and the West
Roles: Ten Roles with Six Pillar Performers
Wu Play: Real Martial Arts with Real Weapons
Repertoire: Inclusiveness with Masters
Stage Design: Ingenuity and Magnificence
Dazzling Performers—Great Cantonese Opera Masters
Qianli Ju: A Master of Tragedy
Liang Yuanheng: A Versatile Xiao Wu Sheng
Xue Juexian: An All-Round Master
Ma Shizeng: A Great Master
Baiju Rong: A King of Xiao Sheng
Liao Xiahuai: A Multiple-Faced Comedian
Gui Mingyang: A Gold-Medal Winner
Hung Sin-nui: A Southern Beauty on the Stage
Masters: Performers of Excellence
Successors: Pass on to the Next Generation
Heritage of the Same Origin—Cantonese Opera and Cantonese Culture
Fusion: Cantonese Opera and Pottery Sculpture
Traces: Cantonese Opera and Hong Kong Films
Openness: Cantonese Opera and Cantonese
Glory in the Neighborhood—Legacy of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong and Macao
Hong Kong: Being of One Blood
Macao: Entertainments for Gods and Men
Guardian: Protection and Heritage
Why Nostalgia?—The Spread of Cantonese Opera Overseas
Southeast Asia: The Second Hometown
Spread to North America: Rise and Fall
Bridge: Cultural Communication
Afterword
Author:
Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles is a provincial non-governmental organization in Guangdong province. Its mission is to unite and serve writers and artists, to train literary and art talents, and to promote the development and prosperity of literature and arts in the province.
Guangdong Institute for Literature and Art is an organization specialized in serving the provincial writers and artists to carry out their studies in the related fields.