Playscript, Vocal and Music Zone

Central to any Cantonese opera is the script. Many new works were tailor-made by distinguished scriptwriters for eminent Cantonese opera stars. As the works enter the Cantonese opera repertory with repeat performances, revisions and finetuning, these scripts have since been perfected into masterworks that withstand the test of time.

Thanks to the Lam Kar Sing Foundation, veteran artist Danny Li, the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library, more than 20 original playscripts have been secured through loans for display. Digitised versions are available for viewing in their entirety on three sets of touchscreen installations. Scripts from Lam Kar Sing are part of his personal possessions. His manuscripts and notes bear witness to the painstaking efforts he made in elevating his artistry. Among Mr. Danny Li’s scripts are some lesser-known and time-honoured classics, including Prime Minister of Six States and The Imperial Emperor of Heaven Holding Court, as well as Story of the Perfume Sachet. Apart from the scripts, explanatory notes on the background, synopsis and individual scenes are provided so visitors may learn more about the stories behind each script.

Moreover, the Vocal and Music sections introduce the distinctive singing styles of 30 celebrated performers, Paizi and Chinese and Western musical instruments common in Cantonese opera, complete with extensive audio demonstrations.

List of Playscripts:

Donated by Lam Kar Sing Foundation Limited
Drums Along the Battlefield, The Revenge Battle, Death of a Loyal Warrior, Of Love and Enmity, The Return of Zhu Bian, The Jade Dise, Baoyu and Daiyu, Lam Chung Visits the Mountain at Night, Chow Yu, Rescuing My Beauty, Romance of the West Chamber, Meeting at the Pavilion

Donated by Mr. Danny Li
Prime Minister of Six States and The Imperial Emperor of Heaven Holding Court (traditional Cantonese opera, old version), Prime Minister of Six States in Daqiang (old tradition), The Princess in Distress, The Reincarnation of the Red Plum, Story of the Perfume Sachet, Romance across the East Wall, The Golden Lotus (aka Jin Ping Mei), Wife in the Morning, Sister-in-Law at Night, The Sorrowful Life of a Star

Donated by The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library
The Legend of the Purple Hairpin

 

Repertory of the Labelled Tunes (Paizi):

Eight Immortals Bestowing Longevity
Labelled Tunes (Paizi): New Water Command (Xinshuiling), Nine Turns (Jiuzhuan), Auspicious Mist (Ruiai)

Birthday Greetings at Fragrance Mountain
Labelled Tunes (Paizi): Liangzhou Prelude (Liangzhou Xu), The Beauty of Spring (Sanchunjin)

A Heavenly Maiden Delivers Her Son

Labelled Tunes (Paizi): Weeping for the Dead Soul (Kuwanghun), Lament for Yan Hui (Tan Yan Hui), Rescuing Younger Brother (Jiudi), Six States (Anliuguo), A Drowsy Look (Menglong), Accusations in the Nether World (Yin’gao), Chasing Husband (Zhuifu), Phoenix Pavilion (Fengyi ting), A Widow’s Lament (Suyuan), Silver Candelabra (Yintaishang), Flowers Spattered in Blood and Tears (Xueleihua, Chasing Han Xin (Zhui Xin)

 

List of Vocal Style:

Chan Kam Tong(Chan Kam Tong style), Chan Siu Fung(Fung Style), Chin Lei Kui(Kui Style), Fong Yim Fun(Fong Style), Ho Fei Fan(Fan style / Puppy style), Hung Sin Nui(Nui style / Hung style), Kwai Ming Yeung(Kwai Ming Yeung style), Lam Kar Sing(Sing style), Lan Chi Pak(Lan Chi Pak style), Law Kar Bo(Shrimp style), Lee Bo Ying(Bo style), Leung So Kam(Kam style), Leung Hon Wai(Leung Hon Wai style), Leung Sing Boh(Leung Sing Boh style), Liu Hap Wai(Liu style), Lui Yuk Long(Geng style), Ma Si Tsang(Ma style / Beggar style / Lemon style), Mak Bing Wing(Mak Bing Wing style), Man Chin Sui(Man Chin Sui style), Pak Kui Wing(Pak style), Pak Suet Sin(Sin style), Pak Yuk Tong(Pak Yuk Tong style), Sheung Hoi Mui(Mui style), Sit Kok Sin(Sit style), Sun Ma Si Tsang(Sun Ma style), Tam Lan Hing(Tam Lan Hing style), Wong Chin Sui(Wong Chin Sui style), Wong Chiu Mo (Wong Chiu Mo style), Wong Hok Sing(Wong Hok Sing style), Yam Kim Fai(Yam style)