The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre will be bringing the classic The Palace of Eternal Life and two selections of traditional opera excerpts to showcase the charm of northern Kunqu in this year’s Festival. The Palace of Eternal Life is one of two dramatic gems of the Qing dynasty, and a Kunqu classic of the highest literary, musical and dramatic calibre. This version is centred on the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Imperial Concubine Yang against the turbulent background that would bring about the decline of the Tang dynasty.
The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre
The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre
19 – 20/7 (FRI – SAT) 7:30pm
21/7 (SUN) 2:30pm
Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
$500 $400 $300 $200
Buy Ticket
Internet booking is available to all events from the first ticket sale date. Please refer to Booking Guide for details.
Extension activities
19/5 (SUN) 2:30pm
Talk: The Classic Repertory of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre and Their Characteristic Charm
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
24/5 (FRI) 7pm
Talk: The Tragic Romance of 'The Palace of Eternal Life'
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
25/5 (SAT) 2:30pm
Masterclass on Kunqu Opera, with Disaster Strikes from 'The Palace of Eternal Life' as a Classic Example
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
26/5 (SUN) 10am
Kunqu Vocal Masterclass (1)
Vocal Features of the Guimendan Role in Kunqu as exemplified by an extract from 'The Story of the Jade Hairpin'
Vocal Features of the Guimendan Role in Kunqu as exemplified by an extract from 'The Story of the Jade Hairpin'
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
26/5 (SUN) 2:30pm
Kunqu Vocal Masterclass (2)
Vocal Features of the Jing Role in Kunqu as exemplified by an extract from 'To the Banquet Armed'
Vocal Features of the Jing Role in Kunqu as exemplified by an extract from 'To the Banquet Armed'
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
18/7 (THU) 7:30pm
Meet-the-Artists: The Legacy and Performing Styles of The Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua and Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua and Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
22/7 (MON) 5pm
Talk: The Timeless 'Song of the Rainbow Dress' from 'The Palace of Eternal Life' and 'Su Wu Herding Sheep'
Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Putonghua Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
2/6 (SUN) 3pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: A Palace Maid Vowing to Avenge Her Country – 'Killing the Tiger' from 'The Prophecies of Taoist Monk Iron Headgear', Singing a Tale of Woe – 'The Female Narrative Singer' from 'The Story of a Street Vendor'
Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned 'Kunqu' Researcher)
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
2/6 (SUN) 7pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: The Roaring River Flows Eastward – 'The Sword Banquet Trap' from 'To the Banquet Armed'
Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned 'Kunqu' Researcher)
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
9/6 (SUN) 3pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: A Tearful Last Farewell to Home and Country – 'Lady Zhaojun Going beyond the Great Wall' from 'The Tomb of Wang Zhaojun', To the Corners of the Earth Alone – 'Fleeing by Night' from 'Lin Chong on the Run'
Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned 'Kunqu' Researcher)
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
9/6 (SUN) 7pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: A Gentle Heart Beneath a Formidable Face – 'Zhong Kui Marrying His Younger Sister Off' from 'Tian Xia Le – The Story of Zhong Kui and Du Ping'
Cheung Lai-chun (Seasoned 'Kunqu' Researcher)
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
11/6 (TUE) 7:30pm
Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera: Migration and Morphing of Chinese Operatic Genres: A Case Study of Shanghai-Style Peking Opera, Northern Kunqu Opera and Fujian Yue Opera
Lum Man-yee (Scholar-educator-critic of Chinese opera)
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Details
In Cantonese Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
Other information
The performance will run for about 3 hours including a 15-minute intermission.
Programme offerings differ by date. Please refer to Chinese Opera Festival website.
With Chinese and English surtitles
