Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Cantonese Opera: New Voice of Traditional Tune

Cantonese Opera, also known as Guangdong Grand Opera, is one of the most representative traditional opera forms in southern China, popular in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas Chinese communities. In 2009, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanityas a significant carrier of Chinese cultural heritage.

Cantonese Opera originated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was officially formed in the Qing Dynasty(1644-199). It incorporated elements from both southern and northern traditional operas such as KunquOpera, YiyangTune, Bangzi, and Erhuang, and gradually evolved into an art form performed in the Cantonese dialect. Its performances focus on “singing, acting, reciting, and fighting,” featuring melodious and graceful singing that includes the Banghuang system and various musical tunes. Accompany instruments mainly include gaohu (a traditional two-stringed bowed instrument), gongs and drums. The roles are divided into more than 10 types, including civil and martial sheng (male roles), young sheng, and huadan (female roles). The costumes used in Cantonese Opera are gorgeous and exquisite, and the facial designs and stylized movements reflect the unique Lingnan style.

As a cultural link, Cantonese Opera carries the customs and ethical values of the Guangdong people and is widely performed at festive ceremonies and folk activities. Today’s Cantonese Opera, while preserving traditional elements, has incorporated audiovisual technology and new scripts to attract young audiences. However, its continuity faces challenges due to issues such as the aging of inheritors. Currently, through government support, school-based transmission, and overseas promotion, a living preservation system for the traditionalopera has been established. Institutions such as the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (also known as Barwo) and the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Troupe continue to promote inheritance work, allowing this ancient art form to thrive anew in contemporary times.

Lingnan culture is a vital component of traditional Chinese culture. As an intangible cultural heritageitem, Cantonese Opera has achieved fruitful results along the advancement of the times. While continuing to be staged in major theaters across China, Cantonese Opera has gone abroad for cultural exchange with multiple countries, allowing the global audience to appreciate its charm. To advance its inheritance, numerous art schools have begun to offer Cantonese Opera programs, cultivating a large number of young artists.

Traditional opera is ashining gem in the treasure trove of Chinese culture, and the key to its prosperity and development lies in people.

监制:蔚力

策划:丁素云

文案:杨俊康