Chinese Opera Festival 2026

As a core component of the Chinese Culture Festival, the theme of this year Chinese Opera Festival is "Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera".  The programme features a selection of classics from different operatic genres that expounds the values of loyalty and righteousness.  Leading troupes representing mainstream genres and three regional bangzi vocal traditions will present heartrending portrayals of classic heroic figures on Chinese opera stage.  Through showcasing the four aspects of expertise required in Chinese opera – singing, line-delivery, acting and martial arts – the virtuosic performers will take the audience on journeys of courage, sacrifice and moral integrity that have long defined the heroic ethos of Chinese culture.

Chinese Opera Festival 2026 Opening Programme: Showcase of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles

Introduction

Leading wusheng (military male) heavyweights from four major Peking Opera troupes assemble unprecedentedly in Hong Kong to flex their muscles in three fascinating programmes.  Celebrated as 'the foremost wusheng of our time', Xi Zhonglu joins Wei Xuelei of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing and Chen Lin of the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company to set the stage with The Battle at Changbanpo and The Incident at Hanjin Crossing, spectacular works that capture the heroic spirit of the Three Kingdoms.   Wang Xilong, from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, elaborates his military painted-face role in two iconic works.  Wang Daxing from the Tianjin Peking Opera Theatre demonstrates valour of the fully armoured role in The Pulley, while Lu Meng of the Hubei Provincial Peking Opera Theatre presents the dynamic close-combat style in Seven for a Righteous Cause.

The Martial Art of Wusheng in Peking Opera

The wusheng (martial male) within the sheng role type of Peking Opera can broadly be divided into two subtypes: changkao and duanda.  Changkao wusheng wear full armour and thick-soled boots, portraying commanding generals such as Guan Yu and Zhao Yun with dignified bearing alongside combat techniques.  Duanda wusheng, by contrast, wear fitted costumes and light footwear, depicting heroic fighters through agile, swift, and acrobatic movements.  Three mainstream stylistic schools of wusheng personae emerged towards the turn of the 20th century: the Yu (Jusheng) school was fierce and maverick, pioneering in adopting painted-face outlook for warriors; the Li (Chunlai) school was renowned for acrobatic tumbling and nimble physicality; and the Huang (Yueshan) school combined virtuosic singing with beard technique.  Later, the Yang (Xiaolou) and Gai (Jiaotian) schools rose to prominence — celebrated respectively as ‘Northern Yang’ and ‘Southern Gai’— shaping the modern aesthetics of wusheng artistry.

Programme Details

26/6 7:30pm

Lin Chong on the Run    Main Cast : Zhao Hongyun

The Battle at Changbanpo and The Incident at Hanjin Crossing   Main Cast : Xi Zhonglu, Wei Xuelei, Chen Lin

Lin Chong on the Run is a well-known Peking Opera featuring duanda wusheng roles, with equal emphasis on vocals and acting.  Zhao Hongyun from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company successfully conveys the derring-do spirit of a Water Margin hero and the desolation of a fallen warrior.  The Battle at Changbanpo and The Incident at Hanjin Crossing showcase scenes of combats from the Three Kingdoms, performed by a succession of wusheng actors.  Acclaimed master Xi Zhonglu, hailed as today’s foremost wusheng, commands the stage as Guan Yu with impressive manoeuvres of courage, valour and composure.  Wei Xuelei of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing and Chen Lin of the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company share the portrayal of Zhao Yun, dazzling with their epic warfare feats.  The two-part programme contrasts melancholic solitude with all-out combats, demonstrating the dynamic range of martial artistry in Peking Opera.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

27/6 7:30pm

The Pulley   Main Cast : Wang Daxing

Wu Song Checking in at the Inn   Main Cast : Lu Jialiang

Rescuing His Sister at the Bright Sun Mansion   Main Cast : Wang Xilong

The Pulley is regarded as a touchstone of wusheng mastery, constituting to generations of skilled virtuosi each with their respective style.  In this programme, Wang Daxing, a Class One Performer of the Tianjin Peking Opera Theatre, demonstrates his formidable command of challenging routines such as qiba, extended combat, and ‘overturning the pulleys’ technique in his portrayal of General Gao.  The acclaimed Wu Song Checking in at the Inn of the Gai school features Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company rising star Lu Jialiang, whose agile movements bring humour and vitality to the piece.  In the masterpiece Rescuing His Sister at the Bright Sun Mansion of the Li (Huiliang) school, Class One Performer Wang Xilong’s martial choreography is outstanding in portraying the spoilt-brat Gao Deng with striking poses.  All three works reveal the diversity and stylistic brilliance of wusheng traditions in Peking Opera.

The running time of the performance is approximately 3 hours including an intermission of 15 minutes.

28/6 2:30pm

Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister Off   Main Cast : Wang Xilong

Seven for a Righteous Cause   Main Cast : Lu Meng

At the Crossroads   Main Cast : Hao Shuai, Hao Jie

On Iron Cage Mountain   Main Cast : Xi Zhonglu

Refined by master Li Huiliang, Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister Off has become a signature wusheng piece combining singing, line delivery, and martial choreography.  Wang Xilong, inheritor of the Li school, captures the role’s delicate balance of humour and poignancy.  Both Seven for a Righteous Cause and At the Crossroads are classics of the Gai school.  In the former, Class One Performer Lu Meng of the Hubei Provincial Peking Opera Theatre leads a dynamic ensemble, embodying the gallant spirit of outlaw heroes through vigorous martial choreography.  The latter features Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company performers Hao Shuai and his long-time partner Hao Jie, who are amongst the most celebrated comic-action duets playing wusheng and wuchou (martial comic) roles.  On Iron Cage Mountain is a major painted-face wusheng showcase, while Xi Zhonglu closes the evening as General Jiang Wei, with his commanding presence and dazzling combat sequences.

The running time of the performance is approximately 3 hours including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

$560 $460 $360 $260


Programme of HKICH Month

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.  

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

Luoyang Yu Opera Troupe 

Introduction

Luoyang, a city of elegance, is famous for its iconic peonies, with Yu Opera as its artistic soul.  The legendary Ma Jinfeng, creator of the shuai dan (military-leading female) role type, combines stylised movements of qingyi (virtuous female), daomadan (sword-wielding and riding female), and wusheng (martial male), and is acclaimed as 'the Peony of Luoyang'.  Specialised in the shuai dan role, her disciple Guan Meili will be joined by Plum Blossom Award winners and Class One performers to present signature works of the Ma School: Mu Guiying Takes Command, which exemplifies heroic feminine valour; Demanding Justice from the Emperor, a classic Yu Opera comedy that sparkles with wit and vivacity through the female lead; and The Spear as a Token of Love, a bitter love story spanning four decades.  Selected excerpts from diverse stylistic traditions will complete the programme.

Yu Opera

Yu Opera, also known as Henan Bangzi, is a branch of the clapper opera (bangzi) vocal system that emerged during the period of contention between the 'Elegant' and 'Popular' stylistic schools during the Ming dynasty.  Fusing qin-qiang, Puzhou Bangzi, and local folk theatrical forms of Henan, distinct regional schools took shape – the Xiangfu style (around Kaifeng), Eastern Henan style (around Shangqiu), Western Henan style (around Luoyang), and Shahe style (around Luohe).  Its vocal style is sonorous and forceful, yet also fluid and lyrical, while the overall pacing is vivid and intense.  The unique operatic style has produced many great masters through the ages, among whom the 'Five Divas' — Chang Xiangyu, Ma Jinfeng, Chen Suzhen, Cui Lantian, and Yan Lipin — are the most widely celebrated.  Of these, Ma Jinfeng created the distinctive shuaidan role type, which tactfully fuses the poise of qingyi (virtuous female), the heroic bearing of daomadan (sword-wielding and horse-riding female), and the vigour of wusheng (martial male).  Ma's rich, mellow voice and bold, dashing stylised movements had won her the epithet 'Peony of Luoyang' .

Programme Details

17/7  7:30pm

Mu Guiying Takes Command

Main Cast: Guan Meili, Wang Hui (Guest), Jia Wenlong (Guest) , Zhao Xiaoxing, Liu Xiangyang

In 1953, Ma Jinfeng, a leading figure in Yu Opera who is acclaimed as 'National Treasure', joined hands with playwright Song Ci to adapt the traditional play Expedition to the East at an Old Age into Mu Guiying Takes Command.  The storyline focuses on Mu Guiying, now past 50, who once again takes command in a time of national peril.  Ma’s brilliant performance triggered an immediate sensation in the operatic world and drew the attention of the Peking Opera legend, Mei Lanfang.  He not only took her in as his disciple, but also introduced Mu Guiying Takes Command into the Peking Opera repertory, making it popular nationwide.  As this year's 'City in Focus' highlight, Guan Meili, a first-generation disciple of Ma, revives the splendour of the Ma-school shuaidan style.  As the curtain rises, Guan offers an awe-inspiring stage presence in her crimson warrior robe as a commanding war marshal.  Her passionate singing adds depth to the character portrayal, which induces a feminine touch into her bravery and determination in fighting for the country again.  Sharing the stage are Plum Blossom Award winners and Class One performers Wang Hui as Dowager She, and Jia Wenlong as the Song Emperor.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

18/7  7:30pm

Excerpts

Emotional Outpouring at the South Camp from The Spear as a Token of Love, At the Imperial Court from Demanding Justice from the Emperor, Interrogating the Husband, The Ingenious County Magistrate, Setting Off for Battle from Five Generations of Loyal Generals

Main Cast: Guan Meili, Wang Hui (Guest), Jia Wenlong (Guest), Bo Qing (Guest), Chen Dahua, Liu Yalin

This programme is a selection of representative classics by Yu Opera masters.  The Spear as a Token of Love and Demanding Justice from the Emperor – two classics of Ma Jinfeng school – and Mu Guiying Takes Command are three iconic pieces that exemplifies the diversity of female portrayals in Yu Opera.  Through nuanced delivery of the female lead's singing, Emotional Outpouring at the South Camp highlights the agitated state of Jiang Guizhi prior to meeting her long lost husband.  In the comic Demanding Justice from the Emperor, Madam Cheng leads a group of high-ranking officers' wives to storm the imperial court to save an upright official.  The versatile character of Madam Cheng is skilfully portrayed via a fascinating combination of podan (shrewish female), caidan (female clown) and qingyi  roles.  Interrogating the Husband is a representative work of the Yan stylistic school.  The emotional manoeuvres between Yan Lanzhen and her husband Zeng Rong reveal the inner struggle of a typical guimendan (young female role).  The Ingenious County Magistrate features the wenchou (clown role) as its protagonist; its operatic gestures incorporate details drawn from everyday life and are lively and humorous.  In the Chang Xiangyu school classic Setting Off for Battle, Dowager She leads the women warriors of the Yang family into battle, and the impassioned singing raises the sense of loyalty towards family and country to a powerful climax.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

$390 $290 $190

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.  

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

The 'Chinese Culture for All' performance of Luoyang Yu opera Troupe is sponsored by the Chamber of Young Snow.

Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province 

Introduction

One of the most expressive regional opera genres of Hebei Province is its Bangzi Opera, known for its impassioned intensity, soaring vocal lines, and richly varied stylised movements.  The Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province returns to Hong Kong with a stellar line-up of Plum Blossom Award winners, four of whom will lead the cast in Zhong Kui the Ghosteater, a signature production and perennial favourite since its premiere in the 1980s.  The Magic Lotus Lantern is a mythological drama that culminates in the climactic close, when the son axes open the mountain to rescue his celestial mother.  Crossing dimensions of mortals,
spirits and celestials, the performance presents highly challenging martial art techniques enhanced by delicate dance movements.  A dedicated programme of excerpts further showcases the vitality and living legacy of Hebei Bangzi Opera.

Hebei Bangzi Opera

Hebei Bangzi Opera took shape around the late Qing dynasty, first building on Shanxi and Shaanxi Bangzi Opera, then developed its own distinctive northern style through assimilating Hebei dialects and folk arts, elements from Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera.  It was popular across the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.  The genre was historically known by several names, including Jing Bangzi, Wei Bangzi, and Zhili Bangzi.  In 2006, Hebei Bangzi Opera was inscribed onto China's National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.  The vocal style is powerful and impassioned, characterised by a high register and the combined use of natural and falsetto voices, giving the singing a bold and penetrating tone. The music is led by the banhu (a high-pitched bowed string instrument), while wooden clappers mark the rhythm with bright, resonant beats.  Its musical patterns are varied and dynamic.  Performance style is direct and vigorous.  Civil plays are marked by strong emotional expression, while martial plays are energetic and spectacular, often incorporating demanding acrobatic techniques to heighten dramatic tension.  With its distinctive vocal power, rhythmic vitality and expressive stagecraft, Hebei Bangzi Opera remains one of the most representative regional opera genres of Hebei Province.

Programme Details

24/7 7:30pm 

Zhong Kui the Ghosteater

Main Cast: Wu Guiyun, Hao Shichao, Sun Na, Qiu Ruide, An Shuancheng

Zhong Kui the Ghosteater was created by the Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province in the 1980s.  The story is based on the folk tale of Zhong Kui, an upright scholar who died in protest of corruption in the imperial examinations, and was appointed in the underworld as the divine catcher of demons.  It has been performed more than 2,000 times in China and abroad since its premiere.  This performance features four Plum Blossom Award winners in lead roles, including Wu Guiyun, in a rare female wusheng (martial male) interpretation, who combines elegant scholarly bearing with resolute strength; and Hao Shichao, who integrates the expressive features of young male, martial male and painted-face roles.  The production is notable for its transformation of role types — from young scholar to painted-face hero — mirroring Zhong Kui's journey from man to spirit and deity.  Hebei Bangzi Opera's musical style blends Kunqu and Bangzi elements, while the staging incorporates dance and demanding acrobatic feats, showcasing the genre's distinctive theatrical vitality.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

25/7 7:30pm 

The Magic Lotus Lantern

Main Cast: Sun Na, Hao Shichao, Qiu Ruide, An Shuancheng

First staged in 1960, The Magic Lotus Lantern is another celebrated classic of the Hebei Bangzi Opera repertoire.  The story goes like this: the Goddess of Mount Hua falls in love with the mortal Liu Yanchang.  After they get married, she gives birth to a son, Chenxiang.  Her brother God Erlang suppresses her under Mount Hua.  When Chenxiang grows up, he axes the mountain open and rescues his mother, thus reuniting the family. The production draws upon folk legends, drama and dance drama, and the stage choreography integrates ribbon dance, fan dance and peacock dance into the martial movements.  Masterly skills such as spinning leaps, spear kicks, backips, and many more make captivating sights.  As for the music, it moves beyond traditional Bangzi Opera rhythmic patterns and introduces Kunqu tunes, folk songs as well as choral elements inspired by Gan Opera.  Combining powerful singing with thrilling combat sequences, The Magic Lotus Lantern has remained a favourite with audiences for over six decades.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

26/7 2:30pm 

Excerpts

Crying at the City Wall from North and South Make Peace
Main Cast: Wu Guiyun, Zhao Xuan, Zhao Ke

The Hu Homestead
Main Cast: Zhang Jingyue, An Shuancheng, Qi Zengchao

On the Execution Ground from The Injustice Done to Dou E
Main Cast: Sun Na, Wang Ping, Zhang Bin

The Bloody Battle at Waqiao from Waqiao Pass
Main Cast: Hao Shichao, Sun Na, Qiu Ruide

This selection of excerpts from Hebei Bangzi Opera showcases a variety of vocal styles, martial arts choreography, masterful acrobatic techniques, and consummate acting in dramatic scenes.  Crying at the City Wall from North and South Make Peace tells how the captive Yang Yanshun crosses battle lines to visit his mother.  Torn between loyalty to his country and lial devotion, he expresses his anguish in heartrending singing and formulaic routines. In The Hu Homestead, the heroine Hu Sanniang engages in a erce close combat with the Liangshan outlaws.  The role of the female warrior displays a distinctive blend of grace and strength.  On the Execution Ground from The Injustice Done to Dou E highlights Hebei Bangzi Opera's expressive vocal style.  With her arms tied up and restrained, Dou E relies solely on singing, facial expression and limited movement to proclaim her innocence, her lament conveying overwhelming grief and injustice.  The Bloody Battle at Waqiao from Waqiao Pass is a dazzling display of martial choreography.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre

$480 $380 $280 $180

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.  

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre 

Introduction

A Dream Under the Southern Bough is a dramatic revelation of the illusions of worldly glory created by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre.  It is a masterfully adapted version of The Dream of Nanke written by Tang Xianzu, executed as a full-scale production in two parts.  The story tells of a scholar Chunyu Fen's sojourn in a dream to the kingdom of ants, where he experiences the rise and fall of power, love won and lost, and the fleeting nature of wealth and prosperity, only to awaken to life's ultimate emptiness.  Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming will lead 4ᵗʰ and 5ᵗʰ generation performers of the theatre in a reinterpretation that blends classical elegance with contemporary theatrical concepts, featuring lyrical poetry, mellifluous melodies, and ethereal staging through lighting.  The audience will travel through a dreamlike world of poetic beauty and philosophical reflection in this highly imaginative dramatisation.

The Dream of Nanke is one of the four legendary plays collectively known as ‘Four Dreams of Linchuan’ by the Ming dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu.  The original script comprises 44 scenes, including arias and set tunes, but modern staging usually presents only two scenes — The Flower Vendor Reports and The Celestial Palace.  In 2012, the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre condensed it into 17 scenes in two parts, under a title of A Dream Under the Southern Bough.  After more than a decade of fine-tuning, meticulous crafting in strict adherence to the conventions of Kunqu and the stylistic elegance of Southern Kunqu, this modern version has become a signature production of the company, notable for its full range of role types, intact with both civil and martial elements.

This performance features Kunqu actors led by Plum Blossom Award winner and company president Shi Xiaming, together with 4^th generation artists including Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia, and Sun Jing, and 5^th generation talent He Xinyue, etc.  Mentors and disciples share the stage, carrying forward the fine legacy of this operatic legend.

Programme Details

31/7 7:30pm

A Dream Under the Southern Bough - Part One   Main Cast: Shi Xiaming, He Xinyue, Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia, Sun Jing

The plot unfolds in two parts.  The first tells of how Chunyu Fen, a down-and-out military officer, gets drunk and falls asleep beneath a pagoda tree during the Ghost Festival.  In his dream, he is guided by a purple-robed official to enter the Ant Kingdom – Huai’ an, an idyllic land of harmony and peace, where people lead a flourishing life under the sagacious government of the king.  He marries Princess Yaofang, is appointed governor of Nanke Prefecture, and rises to the pinnacle of success.  Everyone enjoys the glamourous and serene existence in this illusory world.  It is not until Chunyu and the princess need to gear up with armour and weapons that euphoria is shattered, foretelling a stormy disaster that is to emerge in the second part.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

1/8 7:30pm

A Dream Under the Southern Bough - Part Two   Main Cast: Shi Xiaming, He Xinyue, Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia, Sun Jing

Part Two emphasises psychological depth, a great challenge on the performers’ artistry.  Gravely ill and aware that she won’t live long, Princess Yaofang expresses her sorrow in the aria Ji-Xian-Bin, a plaintive, deeply moving tune.  The scene Swinging Parties pushes the whole piece into an emotional climax forcing Chunyu Fen on a path of no return.  In the final scene, a torrential storm destroys the Ant Kingdom.  Chunyu asks the Monk Qixuan to deliver the souls of the departed.  From reluctance to letting go, Chunyu finally awakens to realise that 20 years of rise and fall are no more than a fleeting dream.  He attains spiritual enlightenment as he reaches the end of a journey of love, ambition, and self-realisation, and becomes a monk himself.

The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

$500 $400 $300 $200

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.  

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City

Introduction

Shangdang Prefecture, located atop the Taihang Mountains, is the birthplace of Shangdang Bangzi Opera, one of the four Bangzi Opera genres of Shanxi Province.  Shaped by this distinctive landscape, it developed a rich repertoire based on the saga of the loyal Yang generals of the Song dynasty, marked by clear moral contrasts, impassioned singing, and bold, resonant music.  On its Hong Kong debut, the troupe will be presenting the classic piece The Banquet at Sanguan, portraying Dowager She's tragic decision to place justice above blood ties.  Selected excerpts recount emotional conflicts between loyalty, filial piety, love for one's spouse, and heroic sacrifice on the battlefield.  They illustrate how bravery and emotional intensity define the distinctive theatrical impact of Shangdang Bangzi Opera.

Shangdang Bangzi Opera

Shangdang Bangzi Opera is one of the four major Bangzi Opera systems of Shanxi.  It emerged in mid-17th century, and became popular in the southeastern region of Shanxi — historically known as Shangdang Prefecture.  It reached its artistic peak around the mid-19th century, and spread to Shandong and Hebei.  The singing is rooted in the banqiang (rhythmic-melodic) system, supplemented by qupai (set tune) elements.  Male and female roles share the same tonal register.  Its musical style is steady and vigorous, while the performance aesthetic is bold, impassioned and highly dynamic, marked by expansive gestures and emotional intensity.  The traditional repertoire comprises over 700 works, with a strong emphasis on historical and martial narratives, particularly stories of the generals of the patriotic Yang family and the troops under Yue Fei, reflecting Shangdang's long-standing identity as a strategically contested region rich in cultural heritage.  In 2006, Shangdang Bangzi Opera was inscribed onto the first National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Programme Details

14/8 7:30pm

The Banquet at Sanguan

Main Cast:  Chen Suqin, Qi Suzhen / Dong Xiaoqin (as Dowager She), Zheng Fagen, Li Dan

The Banquet at Sanguan was adapted in the 1960s by Zhao Shuli from the Shangdang Bangzi Opera repertoire of Loyalty, Filial Piety, and Chaste Virtue, based on the legendary folklore Warriors of the Yang Family.  Refined through decades of staging, it has become a representative work of the genre.  While the plot shares that of Silang Visits His Mother, with Yang Silang (the Fourth Son of the Yang family) taken captive by the Liao army and marries the Liao princess, the plot takes on a totally different track when the son sees his mother, Dowager She.  Instead of emphasising his predicament and filial love, he is castigated by his mother, in front of his mother-in-law, Empress Dowager Xiao, for placing personal gain above patriotic duty.  Silang's wife, Princess Taohua dies in shame, while Silang, torn by guilt and despair, takes his own life.  The production features a cast of virtuosi, including Plum Blossom Award winner Chen Suqin, alongside Qi Suzhen and Zheng Fagen.  Their portrayals vividly capture Dowager She's resolute righteousness, Empress Dowager Xiao's grief over the loss of her daughter, and Silang's inner turmoil.  Combined with the genre's grand musical style, traditional percussion, and distinctive costume design, the performance embodies the authentic spirit of Shangdang Bangzi Opera.

The running time of each performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

15/8 7:30pm

Excerpts

To Kill His Wife
Main Cast:  Chen Suqin, Zheng Fagen

Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao and The Great Battle from Yanmen Pass
Main Cast:  Li Dan, Li Fan, Wu Yanyan

Forced into Insanity from Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace
Main Cast:  Chen Suqin, Zheng Fagen, Wang Zhen

This programme features three excerpts that showcase the vocal and physical virtuosity of Shangdang Bangzi Opera.  To Kill His Wife (also known as Wu Han Kills His Wife) tells a tragic tale in which Wang Yulian sacrifices herself to uphold her husband's greater cause.  The emotional complexity between husband and wife is conveyed almost entirely through singing, making it a celebrated example of vocal innovation within the genre.  Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao and The Great Battle from Yanmen Pass form part of the Yang family saga and are signature works for the sheng (male) role. Yang Balang (the Eighth Son of the Yang Family), acting under Dowager She's command, infiltrates the Liao camp to assassinate the Empress Dowager Xiao before escaping with his family.  Fast-paced and physically demanding, the scenes feature acrobatic feats such as hair-flinging, flips and splits.  Forced into Insanity from Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace balances singing and acting in portraying Jin Gui, a Han woman in the harem of Emperor Kangxi, who is entangled in palace intrigue.  With her child being killed, she is driven into madness.  Through powerful, soaring vocals, Chen Suqin renders Jin Gui's psychological breakdown with striking intensity, fully revealing the overwhelming emotional force of Shangdang Bangzi Opera.

The running time of each performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

$390 $290 $190

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.  

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

A New Cantonese Opera Ancient Tune of Guangling

Introduction

The story takes place during the turmoil of the Wei-Jin era.  Ji Kang is a fiercely moral scholar who expresses his integrity through his qin. In a dream, he receives the transcendent melody Ancient Tune of Guangling, through which he also foresees doom.  He chooses a plebeian life over the offer of high positions. When political intrigue tightens around him, his scrupulous words of advice lead to his imprisonment.  At the execution ground, he calmly plays Ancient Tune of Guangling one final time.  The abrupt breaking of a string on his instrument signifies a life laid down for a moral cause.  This new Cantonese Opera features both renowned Cantonese Opera stars and rising artists.  The production illustrates the lofty ideals and the integrity of the literati through the artistry of Cantonese Opera.

Programme Details

11-12/9  7:30pm

13/9  2:30pm

A New Cantonese Opera Ancient Tune of Guangling

Playwright: Woo Kwok-yin

Artistic Director and Director: Leung Wai-hong

Main Cast: Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai, Liu Kwok-sum, Man Shuet-kau, To Wing-sum, Ng Lap-hei

In the waning years of the State of Wei, the realm is beset by unrest and political strife.  The famed scholar Ji Kang cherishes the ambition to bring order to the world; yet the reign of Wei declines, while the Sima clan usurps power.  With no recourse, he withdraws into seclusion among the bamboo groves.  One night, he dreams of an immortal who imparts to him a piece of qin music that is out of this world – Ancient Tune of Guangling.  He is also told both its origins and the ominous fate entwined with it.  Upon waking, Ji Kang devotes himself to mastering the piece, and at last unravels its hidden codes.  He intends to give the piece its first sounding before his friends, so he calls a gathering of kindred spirits in the bamboo grove.  Yet Zhong Hui arrives uninvited.  In the clash of words that follows, animosity grows.

Soon the political situation worsens.  Sima Zhao murders the sovereign and installs a new emperor, styling himself Prince of Jin, his authority towering above all.  Seeking to consolidate his rule, he endeavours to draw celebrated literati into his service.  Ji Kang’s close friend Shan Tao, who is a relative of Sima Zhao, is ordered to summon him to office.  Zhong Hui also rises in favour through his talents.  To evade conscription, Ji Kang conceals himself among the common folks and severs ties with Shan Tao.  Yet, in adjudicating a dispute between the Lü brothers, he incurs the resentment of the elder, Lü Xun, who conspires with Zhong Hui to bring false charges against him.  Sima Zhao, long wary of Ji Kang’s renown, seizes the chance to strike by another’s hand.  Thus Ji Kang, steadfast in righteousness and unbending in speech, is thrown into prison.  Three thousand students petition for his pardon, but in vain.  At the place of execution, he remains calm, takes up the qin, and plays Ancient Tune of Guangling one last time.  As the strings break, his mortal soul departs.  Yet his lofty morals and integrity endure among posterity.

The running time of the performance is approximately 3 hours including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

$480 $380 $280 $180

Lyrics and part of the dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.

Please refer to "Chinese Culture Festival Booking Guide" for booking details.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

25/6（Thu）7:30pm

Face-to-Face with Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles 

Speakers: Xi Zhonglu, Wei Xuelei, Wang Daxing

Moderator: Sheng Yihui

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Putonghua 

16/7（Thu）7:30pm

On the Development and Dissemination of Yu Opera – A Legacy from Luoyang, Henan

Speakers: Guan Meili, Wang Hui, Jia Wenlong, Bo Qing, Chen Dahua, Liu Yalin

Moderator: Giovanna Wu

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Putonghua 

23/7（Thu）7:30pm

Hebei Bangzi Opera: A Fine Mix of the Lyrical and the Vigorous in Its Civil and Martial Repertoires

Speakers: Wu Guiyun, Qiu Ruide, Hao Shichao, Sun Na

Moderator: Hu Guangming

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Putonghua

30/7（Thu）7:30pm

A Dream Under the Southern Bough – Creating a Virtual World from Reality

Speakers: Shi Xiaming, He Xinyue, Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia

Moderator: Giovanna Wu

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Putonghua 

13/8（ Thu）7:30pm

The Unique Artistic Features and Vocal Characteristics of Shangdang Bangzi Opera

Speaker: Chen Suqin

Moderator: Sheng Yihui

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Putonghua 

3/9（ Thu）7:30pm

Pre-performance Talk on A New Cantonese Opera Ancient Tune of Guangling

Speakers: Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai, Woo Kwok-yin, Leung Wai-hong

Moderator: To Wai Sau-ming Marilyn

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In Cantonese

13/9（Sun）After performance *

Post-performance Talk on A New Cantonese Opera Ancient Tune of Guangling 

Speakers: Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai, Liu Kwok-sum, Man Shuet-kau, Ng Lap-hei

Moderator: To Wing-sum

Venue: Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

In Cantonese

* Audience members can participate after the performance without registration

Free admission.  Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Online registration is required except the Post-performance Talk on A New Cantonese Opera Ancient Tune of Guangling. 

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The presenter reserves the right to change the programmes.

Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera *

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

'Kunqu On and Beyond the Stage' Demonstration Talks *

Speaker: Chan Chun-miu

Demonstration: Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong

Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Backstage Tours *

In Putonghua

Demonstration Performance of Peking Opera

Workshops and Talks on Kunqu Opera *

by Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre

*Free admission.  Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Online registration is required.

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The presenter reserves the right to change the programmes.

Chinese Opera Films

Cantonese Opera Films

Tickets will be available at URBTIX from 14 April onwards. (Unless otherwise specified for individual programmes)

Concessionary Tickets # *

Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. Tickets for CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessionary ticket holders must produce evidence of their identity or age upon admission.

Discount Scheme

Exclusive Offer to Museum Pass Holders # ^

• Museum Pass holders can enjoy 10% off for each purchase of 1 or more standard tickets. This discount is available for purchases at URBTIX outlets only. Please present a valid physical or electronic Museum Pass upon purchase.

• Discount for Grand Dance Poem In Between — Wu Guanzhong's Ink Odyssey by Hong Kong Dance Company is only applicable to standard tickets for $B-$F price zones.

# Only applicable to tickets for stage programmes, Chinese Opera Festival 2026: Chinese Opera Film Shows and Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters. Discount is only available for tickets for Musical Pan Yu Lin by Actors' Family and Children Arts Tech Music Theatre 5 Elements East West by Zuni Icosahedron purchased through URBTIX on a first-come, first-served basis.

^ Discount is not applicable to ticket purchases of the following programmes: International Arts Carnival 2026: Nanyin Theatre Siu Hei's Musical Journey: Poetry in Nanyin by One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, Grand Dance Poem In Between — Wu Guanzhong's Ink Odyssey by Hong Kong Dance Company, The Diary of Song 2026 by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Realising Art in Social Realism: The Miracle of Union Film, Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time, Gems of Chinese Opera Film and 2026 'Music-Get-Together' Music Office Trainees' Concerts — Chinese Music.

* Concessionary tickets of Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Cross-disciplinary Series: Grand Dance Poem In Between —Wu Guanzhong's Ink Odyssey by Hong Kong Dance Company and Musical Pan Yu Lin by Actor's Family are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For concessionary ticket discount details of The Diary of Song 2026 by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Children Arts Tech Music Theatre 5 Elements East West by Zuni Icosahedron, please visit the presenters' websites or enquire by phone.

Points to Note

• Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discount offers for each ticket purchased.
• Each ticket admits one person only.
• The discount for full-time students is also applicable to children aged 6 and under.
• Tickets swapped on or after 1 May are no longer entitled to the 'Limited-Time Offer', but patrons may still enjoy other discount offers that are available at the time of swapping.
• Tickets purchased under the 'Generations Together 1 + 1' Discount require joint admission. Any upgrade of concessionary tickets must be processed together with all purchased tickets at URBTIX outlets to settle the surcharge.
• The East Kowloon Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Museum of History only provide self-service ticketing kiosks for ticket purchases and collections. Patrons may visit the URBTIX outlets located at other venues for counter service.
• Hong Kong Central Library does not provide URBTIX outlet service and self-service ticketing kiosks. Patrons may visit the URBTIX outlets located at other venues for counter service.
• The box offices of Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Film Archive only provide counter sales service for film programmes screened at or organised by the venue. Ticket collection service is available at the self-service ticketing kiosks in the venue.
• Events will normally be cancelled when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or the Black Rainstorm Warning is issued or remains in effect 3 hours before the event starts. Ticket holders are advised to visit www.ccf.gov.hk or to call 2268 7321 / 2268 7323 / 2268 7325 within normal office hours for details of programme schedule changes and refund arrangements.
• Members of the audience are strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers and those who leave their seats during the performance will only be admitted and allowed to return to their seats respectively during the intermission or at a suitable break. The presenter reserves the right to refuse admission of latecomers, or determine the time and manner of admission of latecomers.
• The price of each discounted ticket will be rounded up to the nearest Hong Kong dollar.
• Please refer to the Chinese Culture Festival or the presenter's website for the counter booking dates of individual programmes.
• In the event of any dispute regarding these Terms and Conditions and all other matters relating to the discount scheme, the interpretation and decision of Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the presenter shall be final and conclusive.

Patrons can purchase a maximum of 40 tickets per transaction.  Tickets can be bought in the following ways: 

URBTIX Counter Booking & Self-service Ticketing Kiosk Booking

• Within one hour before the performance, tickets can be bought at the performance venue box office or self-service ticketing kiosks.
• Payment can be made in cash (Hong Kong currency and applicable to counter booking only), by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, Octopus, Alipay, WeChat Pay and Faster Payment System for all events.
• For self-service ticketing kiosk booking, the maximum payment limit of credit cards per transaction is HK$1,000 in view of the requirement of respective card organisations and payment platform, while the Octopus is HK$3,000. For others such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Faster Payment System, the maximum amount allowed is determined according to the customer's own payment settings. Customers may check with the respective organisations for details.

Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
Telephone Booking: 3166 1288 (10am - 8pm daily)
Mobile Ticketing App: URBTIX (Android , HarmonyOS and iPhone / iPad versions)

• Tickets are available until 15 minutes before performance at Telephone Booking and Internet Booking /Mobile App, and until 1 hour before performance at venues without URBTIX outlet/self-service ticketing kiosk.
• Internet Booking / Mobile Ticketing App Booking: Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay and Faster Payment System (for Internet Booking only).
• Telephone Booking: Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, American Express and UnionPay without a PIN authentication requirement.
• For internet, mobile ticketing app or telephone booking services, there is a service fee of HK$9 per ticket purchased (no limit is set per transaction and purchases are non-refundable).
• Customers can choose to collect their purchased tickets from self-service ticketing kiosks or at the sales counter at any URBTIX outlets by using the same credit card (except virtual card) used for the booking / claim ID, or by mail / courier to the customer's designated address. Mail / courier delivery is available from 30 days until 7 days before the performance (depending on the delivery method). An extra service fee will be charged for mail / courier delivery. All service and mailing / delivery fees collected are non-refundable.
• E-tickets are available for some events. Customers can purchase tickets online or via the mobile app, select the e-ticket option and present the e-ticket QR code for scanning and verification upon admission. No redemption of printed ticket is required.
• Service and mailing / delivery fees are subject to change from time to time in accordance with URBTIX updates.

Enquiries
Programme: 2268 7325 (Monday - Friday: 9am - 1pm, 2 - 6pm, closed on Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays)
Ticketing: 3166 1100 (10am–8pm daily)
Website: www.ccf.gov.hk (Programme) / www.urbtix.hk (Ticketing & Internet Booking)

The Art of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles Exhibition

Exhibition Period: 10-28/6  (Wed - Sun)

Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Hong Kong Cultural Centre    

The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai'an – The Staging of A Dream Under the Southern Bough

Exhibition Period: 18-27/6 (Thu - Sat) 

Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall

Exhibition Period: 29/6-2/8 (Mon - Sun)

Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Tai Po Civic Centre

'The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera'  Exhibition 

Exhibition Period: 24/6-10/7 (Wed - Fri) 

Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing 

Exhibition Period: 15-31/7 (Wed - Fri) 

Venue: Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre

Exhibition Period: 17/7-4/9 (Fri - Fri) 

Venue: Hong Kong Central Library (Arts Resource Centre)

Free admission

The content of the programme does not represent the views of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The presenter reserves the right to change the programmes.