"A Night with Hebei Bangzi Opera" starts this Thursday
*******************************************************


The Hebei Bangzi Opera Troupe of Beijing, with soaring voices and its repertoire of familiar folk tales, will perform at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall from Thursday to Saturday (November 6 to 8).

The cast includes Liu Yuling, Li Er'e, Peng Yanqin, Wang Yinghui, Yin Xinquan, Gao Demin and Liu Fengxiang, all outstanding artists and winners of the Plum Blossom Award.

"A Night with Hebei Bangzi Opera" is part of the "Legends of China" festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

With almost 400 years of history behind it, Hebei Bangzi opera is a natural gem among traditional Chinese operatic styles, having evolved from the Bangzixi (clapper opera) of Shanxi and Shaanxi. Characteristic of the art form is a sonorous, impassioned vocal style in a high register.

Its highly expressive nature brings out emotional nuances and renders it particularly suitable for tragic stories. This regional genre has exerted considerable influence on Peking Opera and other Chinese traditions, in terms of repertory, vocalisation skills, singing and other performance techniques.

Each of the three performances of "A Night with Hebei Bangzi Opera" features a different programme:

November 6
"Executing Huainu" and "Defeating the Enemy" from "The Heroine with Long Knife"
Main cast: Li Er'e
"Chen Sanliang"
Main cast: Peng Yanqin, Yin Xinquan

November 7
"Cool Breeze Pavilion"
Main cast: Peng Yanqin, Wang Yinghui, Gao Demin

November 8
"Wang Baochuan"
Main cast: Liu Yuling, Wang Yinghui, Yin Xinquan, Liu Fengxiang

All performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at $220, $180, $140 and $100 are available at all URBTIX outlets.

Half-price tickets are offered to senior citizens, full-time students, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients. For group bookings and packages, discounts of up to 20% apply.

Telephone reservations can be made on 2734 9009.

Programme details can be found in the brochures obtainable at URBTIX outlets or at http://www.legendsofchina.gov.hk

For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044.

Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2003
NNNN