Chairman of the OUHK Council Mr Michael Wong said that the Concert has gathered OUHK members and the members of the public to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the University and helped promote Chinese culture to a wider community.
The Cantonese Opera Concert has successfully raised over HK$5 million for the development of the OUHK. The University is grateful for all the generous support from the individuals and organizations.
Excerpt – “Everlasting Regret at the Land of Illusion”
Performers: Li Qiuyuan (left) and Jiang Wenduan (right).
Dance Performance – “Daiyu Joins the Jia Family”
Performers: Fresh graduates of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
The Concert was an unprecedented success with the concerted effort of the members of the Organizing Committee, Cantonese opera artists and backstage production crew.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) proudly presented a large-scale “Cantonese Opera Concert on Dream of the Red Chamber” at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District last Saturday (1 June) night. Aiming at promoting Cantonese opera to a wider community in Hong Kong, the Concert therefore has combined the elements of traditional Cantonese opera and contemporary performing art for presenting the greatest novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” in a new perspective.
An Opening Ceremony was held at the Foyer of the Grand Theatre before the Concert. Officiating at the Ceremony were the Chairman of the OUHK Council Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam, Deputy Chairman of the OUHK Council Mr Silas Yang Siu-shun and President of the OUHK Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong. Addressing the Ceremony, Mr Michael Wong said that the OUHK is honored to be the first university in Hong Kong to hold a Cantonese Opera Concert at the Xiqu Centre, a world-class performing arts venue. He said, “Tonight’s Concert provides a valuable opportunity not only to gather OUHK members to celebrate our anniversary but also to connect with friends and supporters who share our mission in providing quality education and our passion for promoting Chinese culture.” Mr Michael Wong added that the Concert has successfully raised over HK$5 million for the long-term development of the OUHK. On behalf of the University, Mr Wong and the Management of the University extended their sincere thanks to individuals and organizations who have rendered their support towards the general development of the University on the same occasion.
Speaking at the Concert, Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong said, “While striving for excellence in teaching and research, the University has also spared no effort to promote Chinese culture and arts to the younger generations over the years. We specially selected this everlasting literary masterpiece, 'Dream of the Red Chamber' to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the OUHK. We hope that tonight’s show will be able to give everyone a refreshing experience by presenting the enchanting and unforgettable love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu from a new perspective.”
The Concert started at 7:30pm with a full house audience of nearly one thousand members of the public. The evening was kicked off by showing “A Glimpse at the Red Chamber”, a video-recorded dialogue with insights shared by Prof. Kenneth Pai Hsien-yung and Prof. Liu Zaifu. It was followed by a dance performance “Daiyu Joins the Jia Family” by a group of fresh graduates of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
Five classic Cantonese opera excerpts, namely “Daiyu Buries Falling Flowers”, “Qingwen Mends the Peacock Cloak”, “Burning her Verses, Daiyu Passes Away”, “Baoyu Regrets His Marriage” and “Everlasting Regret at the Land of Illusion”, were performed at the night by Cantonese opera virtuosos Tse Kwok-cheung, Li Qiuyuan, Jiang Wenduan and some young artists including Chin Shan, Cheng Nga-ki, Wang Zhiliang, Lin Yingshi, King Fa Lui and Katie Chan Kei-ting. The love story of “Dream of the Red Chamber” has been perfectly interpreted by the artists. In the excerpt “Baoyu Regrets His Marriage”, Tse Kwok-cheung gave a vivid portrayal of Baoyu with his charismatic presence and fascinating voice. Li Qiuyuan and Jiang Wenduan have successfully interpreted the breathtaking love story of Baoyu and Daiyu in the last excerpt “Everlasting Regret at the Land of Illusion” with their sophisticated performing skills. Audience was fascinated by their superb performance and given the show a big round of applause.
Moreover, the University is privileged to have invited Choo Heng-cheong, a renowned and highly commended chief musician in Hong Kong’s Cantonese opera industry, to be the artistic advisor of the Concert. Fredric Mao Chun-fai, a local veteran theatre director, and Leonard Wong Shing-chuen, a famous music leader in Cantonese opera, are also invited to be the artistic director and music director of the Concert respectively. Fredric Mao also hosted an introductory session for the audience, enabling them to better appreciate and understand the enchanting love story of Baoyu and Daiyu. With the experts' participation, the night was an unprecedented success.
The “Cantonese Opera Concert on Dream of the Red Chamber” is one of the signature programmes of the OUHK’s 30th anniversary celebration. In addition to sharing the joy with the public, the OUHK would also like to express its deepest gratitude to individuals and organizations who have contributed to the general development of the University. They are Biel Crystal (HK) Manufactory Limited, Sa Sa Making Life Beautiful Charity Fund, Agile Group Holdings Limited, Simon Suen Foundation, Man Wah Holdings Limited, Dr Eva Cheng Li Kam-fun, Redco Properties Group Limited, Mr Wong Ting-chung, Glorious Sun Group, Mr and Mrs Chu Ming-chuan, Lam Kin Chung Morning Sun Charity Fund, Kum Shing Group, Mr Samuel Yung Wing-ki, Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong, Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam, Ms Yeung Chi-hung, Mr Silas Yang Siu-shun and Mr George Lau Ka-keung.
About OUHK 30th Anniversary
Established by the Government in 1989, the OUHK has evolved from primarily a distance learning institution to become a full-fledged university providing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as part-time programmes in just three decades. OUHK celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2019. While looking back on its achievements, the University is ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges. It is also well prepared to go further to bring the University to new heights in the years to come.
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers about 220 programmes to nearly 10,000 full-time students and about 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students' learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
OUHK comprises five Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Science and Technology. The Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes. OUHK website: www.ouhk.edu.hk
