Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Splendour of Cantonese Opera - RT/WW


I received 2 VIP tickets to a Cantonese opera performance by Lam Kam Ping Cantonese Opera Performance Association on Sunday night at West Coast Community Centre.


Cantonese opera performance by Lam Kam Ping Cantonese Opera Performance Association

This performance was to celebrate the successful inscription of Cantonese Opera, which was recognized by UNESCO in October 2009 as an “intangible cultural heritage”.


The air-con hall was almost full 

Cantonese opera, which has a history of over 300 years, is characterized by a combination of string and percussion instruments, with elaborate costumes and face painting. 
 
 a combination of string and percussion instruments

With a decreasing audience and younger generations who are not interested in this traditional cultural heritage, it has a long way to go before being fully recognized by the government and people of Singapore.


spectacular performance by Ms Chou Wan Yuk

To ensure we do not lose our literature, music, and the beautiful opera and dance of our past, I hope the government will pay more attention to its preservation and development. We certainly must work to retain our cultural heritages! Let's hope that the "bottom dollar" problem does not affect this cultural heritage!






First Commenter -

29 comments:

  1. I have never seen opera in real life. I wonder what it feels like to be watching them up close. :D

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  2. It looks splendid!
    Culture is very important, we in the US have a tenancy of not knowing where we come from in one sense and lose some of the heritage.
    I am glad that your country is recognizing its history!

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  3. I see quite a crowd watching the opera. Heard that there's an old-style Chinese cafe somewhere in KL (Petaling Street)where one can watch Chinese operas. I have yet to see one myself.

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  4. Yes, it would be a crime to loose this beautiful art form, but for the younger generation I think it is too slow and drawn out. Do Chinese Opera groups ever perform at the local schools?

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  5. I remember watching the opera during the kampung days, not much because of the show but more on the interesting makeup and costumes they wore. Nowadays I see the operas around the Hungry Ghost Festival, but those show are meant for the ghosts, right?

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  6. Oh, what a fab spectacle!! wonderful!
    Did you wear a bit of red, too?
    :)

    Happy RT!

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  7. Sounds like a very interesting show. I'm sure you had great time. Happy RT and WW!

    My entries:
    Moms... Check nyo
    Yummy-as-can-be

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  8. I love the photos. The costumes are so colorful. Mine is up as well. Happy RT.

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  9. I have not seen an Opera for a very long time in Singapore. The last time is at Chinatown 3 years ago but was just passing by and not really seeing it.

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  10. Wow cool outfit.. red! I love how it looks and its design.. Thanks for sharing.. ;-)

    Mine is My Ruby Tuesday: Red Buses

    :)

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  11. Marvelous!!! Encore, Encore!!!

    :::PUNCH!!::: Red One!! You've been warned...be alert...commercial, straight ahead. [In other words, mine's posted]

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  12. Cultural heritage is important. I hope your gov. will work to keep it.

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  13. Fantastic costumes...and a fascinating experience.

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  14. I am thinking that perhaps one of the better ways to encourage people to continue to appreciate and to support the unique cultural heritage is through facilitate people to form a sense of relationship/bond with his/her heritage.

    For example, while I don't feel a sense of connection with Cantonese opera when I see such performances, just simply listening to the Chinese musical instruments bring me a sense a connectedness and bond. I used to spend at least 6 - 7 years of my life playing in a Chinese orchestra.

    Ah...how about a co-curricular activity in schools teaching Cantonese opera?

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  15. I have yet to watch a real Chinese Opera! Should be quite fun though I'm afraid I won't understand it! : )

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  16. How beautiful and fun this looks! I have never been to an opera but would just love to go!

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  17. Nowadays, only the older generation knows how to appreciate Chinese opera. some of the associations here had include more attractive facilities like stage designs and colourful lightings in their shows to make them more interesting for younger generation.

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  18. I'm not a fan of operas...
    But I like to watch and hear people playing the traditional chinese instrument.

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  19. The only cultural heritage that singaporeans will be bothered with, is the glittery 七月歌台. ( At least with the post-65 generation and the middle agers)

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  20. Cantonese? Oops... i dont understand this dialect. Even if got Teochew ones i also dont think i understand since sing and talk quite different leh.

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  21. I just cannot bring myself to enjoying the Cantonese opera performance.

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