Author Archives: Vivian Chau

Book launch of Cantonese Operatic Singing Art of Leung Yi-chung and Leung So-kam

16 Feb 2017

Since 2006, the Centre for Advancement of Chinese Language Education and Research (CACLER) of the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been working together with partnering schools, under the HKU Cantonese Opera Education and Research Project, to integrate Cantonese Opera into the secondary school curriculum and on related researches. In 2015, the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust funded the research team led by Dr Dorothy Ng Fung-ping to implement the Publication Project of Cantonese Operatic Singing Art of Leung Yi-chung and Leung So-kam. Mr Leung Yi-chung was a leading light in Cantonese song art, and his daughter, Ms Leung So-kam, is a master of Cantonese operatic singing art. This new publication records their artistic achievements and gives an account of the Cantonese operatic singing art of the latter.

A Book launch was held on February 21, 2017 (Tuesday) from 2:30 pm to 4:30pm at Swire Lounge, Robert Black College, The University of Hong Kong.

Dr Dorothy Ng Fung-ping, Ms Leung Chi-kit and Dr Boaz Chow Sze-sum (Co-authors of Cantonese Operatic Singing Art of Leung Yi-chung and Leung So-kam), together with Ms Leung So-kam (Cantonese operatic singing art master), delivered speech at the event.  Ms Tang Mi-ling (Cantonese opera virtuoso) was invited as guest performer at the event.

(from 1st of left) Dr. Boaz Chow Sze-sum, Ms Leung Chi-kit, Dr. Dorothy Ng Fung-ping (Co-authors of the Book), Ms. Leung So-kam and Ms Tang Mi-ling	(1st from bottom left) Dr. Dorothy Ng Fung-ping, Ms. Leung So-kam and Mr. Li Chi Kei (1st from top left) Ms Tang Mi-ling, Ms. Leung Chi-kit and Dr. Boaz Chow Sze-sum
(left) Dr Boaz Chow Sze-sum and (right) Ms Tang Mi-ling performed《唐宮綺夢》選段	Dr Dorothy Ng Fung-ping (Project Leader and Co-authors of the Book) delivered a speech at the Book Launch.
《素心琴韻曲藝情》 The Publication of Cantonese Operatic Singing Art of Leung Yi-chung and Leung So-kam

Cantonese opera is a traditional cultural art in Hong Kong and is on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. Representative schools of Cantonese operatic singing are influential to the performance art of Cantonese opera. Mr Leung Yi-chung (1905-1974) was a leading light in Cantonese song art and invented his unique “Jiexinqiang” vocal school. His daughter, Ms Leung So-kam, is a master of Cantonese operatic singing art and is known for her unique singing style which is tuneful and demonstrates the scholastic touch.

Since 2006, the Centre for Advancement of Chinese Language Education and Research (CACLER) of the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been working together with partnering schools, under the HKU Cantonese Opera Education and Research Project, to integrate Cantonese Opera into the secondary school curriculum and on related researches. In 2015, the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust funded the research team led by Dr Dorothy Ng Fung-ping to implement the Publication Project of Cantonese Operatic Singing Art of Leung Yi-chung and Leung So-kam. This new publication records the artistic achievements of Mr Leung Yi-chung and Ms Leung So-kam and gives an account of the Cantonese operatic singing art of the latter. Two compact discs are attached to the book: one of them contains 57 segments extracted from 30 demo songs for learning; and the other one contains the full version of four representative songs for appreciation.

This publication describes the experiences and skills of the Leung’s Cantonese operatic singing art with demonstration of segments and songs, which guides readers and learners to understand the characteristics of their singing art more easily. Such guiding approach raises both the interest and the effectiveness of learning, which favours the inheritance of this traditional art form. It is not only a valuable literature of Cantonese operatic singing art, but also a useful reference to Cantonese opera education.

Acknowledgement: The Project ‘Xiqu Artist Conservation Scheme – Leung So-kam’ was sponsored by Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the printing and publication cost of the book 《素心琴韻曲藝情》

was sponsored by Lord Wilson Heritage Trust.

Press release (English) http://web.edu.hku.hk/f/news/4104/Press%20release_Eng_20170221.pdf

Press release (Chinese) http://web.edu.hku.hk/f/news/4104/Press%20release_Chi_20170221.pdf

Details of the Book 《素心琴韻曲藝情》

From Helplessness to Mutual Help: Learning and Teaching of Chinese Language for multi-cultural learners’ Conference (hosted by the ‘Accommodating Diversity: Supporting the Learning and Teaching of Chinese Language for non-Chinese Speaking Students in Primary Schools (USPP)’ Project)