Presented by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the “Glamour of Cantonese Opera Shines through the Academia” Ina Ho Cantonese Opera Research Centre (Research Centre) Opening Ceremony cum Cantonese Opera Performance was held yesterday (19 August) at the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. A number of renowned artists presented an exciting repertoire to celebrate the grand opening of the Research Centre, showcasing the unique charm of Cantonese opera and driving its development.

The University was honoured to have Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) Zhang Guoyi, and Founder of the Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Troupe Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, together with HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, marking the official opening of the Research Centre.

Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Paul Lam thanked Dr Ina Ho for her generous donation for the establishment of the Research Centre, which will support scholars and researchers to study, develop and preserve Cantonese opera, a world-class intangible cultural heritage. “As one of the traditional Chinese opera genres, Cantonese opera has a long history and profound cultural heritage,” said Prof. Lam. “The four refined operatic techniques – 'singing, body movement, speech and acrobatics' – together with costume, headdress, make-up, and other elements, demonstrate the unique elegance and charm of Cantonese opera, making it a treasure of Chinese culture and art that deserves to be preserved and passed down to future generations.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Kevin Yeung conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and delight on the opening of the Research Centre, which has injected new vitality and impetus into the promotion and development of Cantonese opera. “The Centre will become a valuable platform for advancing Cantonese opera research and education, which will help promote Cantonese opera to local and overseas audiences, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's distinguished status as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14^th Five-Year Plan,” he said. He added that he looked forward to the Centre's further achievements in the future, by contributing to preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese culture, promoting Cantonese opera art, and fostering international cultural exchange.

The Cantonese Opera performance that followed was grounded on refined classical Cantonese opera titles, with Cantonese opera music maestro Dr Choo Heng-cheong the Guest Chief Musician. Well-known Cantonese opera veterans and fresh performers, including Yuen Siu-fai, Lung Koon-tin, Nam Fung, Vong Seng-pan, Leung Sum-yee, Yat Dim-hung, Chan Kei-ting and Siu Wing-yee, performed Nanyin “Yearning of the Way in Fall” and five excerpts: “Plum-picking Romance in The Reincarnation of the Red Plum”, “Seeing You Off in Drums along the Battlefield”, “Giving up His own Son to Save Zhao's Orphan” in The Orphan of Zhao”, “Mu Guiying Finding a Groom” and “Meeting at the Military Camp in Unparalleled Heroes Overlord the City of Chu”, which enthralled and won the enthusiastic applause of the audience.

The Research Centre will be located on the HKMU Jockey Club Campus. In line with the Government's mission to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, the Centre will promote Cantonese opera to more local young people and overseas audiences through a variety of means, including online courses and English translation of libretti, starting with fostering their appreciation of this traditional art form and then helping them develop an interest in and learn more about it. The Centre will also organise regular seminars and talks and make use of multi-media channels to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of Cantonese opera.