The newly established Chinese Orchestra of Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) made its debut performance at the Ho Sik Yee Library on the Jockey Club Campus. The orchestra delighted the audience with joyful melodies while accompanying a Cantonese opera vocal recital. The performance was followed by a book launch promoting Cantonese opera.
Co‑organised by the HKMU Ina Ho Cantonese Opera Research Centre (IHCORC), the HKMU Chinese Music Project and the University Library, the event, titled “Chinese Strings Hum Operatic Rhymes; Scholarly Spirits Cradle the Stage”, was held on 5 May.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Paul Lam Kwan‑sing, President of HKMU, highlighted the importance of music in university education and its role in enriching students' campus life. “As a university of applied sciences, HKMU is committed to cultivating students' professional skills and helping them develop personal interests and cultural appreciation,” he said. “Students should be able to achieve a healthy balance between work and life after graduation.” Prof. Lam thanked colleagues involved in the HKMU Chinese Music Project for their efforts and encouraged members of the orchestra to continue their music journey with passion.
Prof. Roger Michael Scully, Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, remarked that the Chinese Music Project was launched last year with support from the University's Quality Enhancement Measures Scheme. The project aims to nurture young talent through the formation of a Chinese music ensemble, broaden students' understanding of Chinese music through general education courses, and promote Chinese music through public events. The project also offers various training courses in musical instruments for HKMU students.
Celebrating the charm of Chinese music and Cantonese opera
Since the HKMU Chinese Orchestra was formed in March, it has held rehearsals every week. Approximately 30 members took part in its debut performance, presenting two lively instrumental pieces, Dance of Joy (歡欣舞曲) and Dragon Dance (龍舞), under the baton of conductor Mr Sebastien Lai Ka-tai. This was followed by a graceful guzheng solo performance of Spring on Xiang River (春到湘江), by Li Tsz‑ching, a first-year student in Nursing (General Health Care).
The next segment featured retired Prof. Lui Yu-hon and Dr Kelly Chan Kar‑yue, Centre Director of IHCORC, who performed excepts from three classic Cantonese opera pieces — The Flower Princess (帝女花), The Legend of the Purple Hairpin (紫釵記), and Romance of the Phoenix Chamber (鳳閣恩仇未了情) — accompanied live by the HKMU Chinese Orchestra. Their splendid performances received warm applause from the audience.
The Chinese Music Project is led by Dr Chan Chi-chun, Lecturer in the School of Arts and Social Sciences and IHCORC. He said that Xiqu (Chinese opera) is an important element of Chinese music and that the HKMU Chinese Orchestra would seek to cultivate its members' ability to accompany vocal performances. He added that the orchestra planned to participate in more performances and exchange activities in the future to strengthen the connection between the University and the wider community.
New books promote Cantonese opera heritage
The event concluded with a book launch, during which Dr Kelly Chan and Dr Chan Chi‑chun introduced their latest publications. Originally written in Chinese, Cantonese Opera Singing Styles in Hong Kong: A Study on Innovation and Inheritance (1930s–1970s) (《1930–1970年代香港粵劇唱腔流派革新與傳承研究》) features selections from its English translation, edited by Dr Kelly Chan. The book offers an in‑depth examination of the evolution of singing styles of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong from the 1930s to the 1970s, analysing their inheritance, localisation and contemporary development. This research project was funded by the HKSAR Government's Research Matching Grant Scheme.
Another book, Practice and Future: Innovation, Inheritance, and Development of Cantonese Opera (《實踐與未來——粵劇的創新、傳承與發展》), co-edited by Dr Chan Chi‑chun and Dr Kelly Chan, includes articles from various scholars in the field. It explores the cultural significance and future development of Cantonese opera from the perspectives of literature, translation, history and education.
