Cantonese Opera

(also known as "Guangdong Drama") is one of the traditional operas in China, composed of drama, arts, and special forms of operatic music, martial arts and acrobatics. It is one of the largest drama classes in Guangdong. Cantonese Opera started at the end of the Ming Dynasty (circa 1600) and has a history of over three hundred years. Cantonese Opera prevails in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and many parts of Europe and Americas. Wherever there are Cantonese people, there will be Cantonese Opera.

Fun’s Cantonese Opera Academy, founded on February 8, 2006, is a voluntary organization devoted to the promotion of Cantonese opera performing arts, music and songs. Our missions are to introduce, to refine, and to publicize this cultural art to the Houstonian community through instructions and performance. Furthermore, we hope to bring forth cultural harmony, mutual understanding, as well as warmth and kindness to citizens of all ethnicity.

Founding Members                                               Honorary Members

昌美蓮     Mei Chu  (Chairperson)                              言雪芬    Lina Liu (Yin Suet Fun)(Instructor)
葉婉珍     Grace Choi  (Vice-Chairperson)                  容健民    Yung Kin Man(Lead Musician)          
張慧琪     Vicky Cheung                                            伍元勳    Ng Yuen Fun 
鍾愛然      Esther Chung                                            容華清    Yung Wah Ching
李錦霞      Jenny Chau                                        
仇澤棠      Tong Chau                                         

Training Members

Links

Cantonese Opera from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org

Yin Suet Fun (言雪芬)
– Instructor for Fun’s Cantonese Opera Academy

Madame Lina Liu, better known on stage as “Yin Suet Fun” (言雪芬) joined the Cantonese Opera profession in the 1960’s, under the renowned masters: Yam Kim Fai (任劍輝) and Bak Suet Sin (白雪仙).  Their opera troupe: Chor Fung Ming Opera Company (雛鳳鳴粵劇團) had the highest numbers of bookings, fans, and always received the most positive reviews among other troupes in Hong Kong. From 1968 to 1989, Lina and her Chor Fung Ming Opera Company traveled to many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Macau, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 1981, the Chor Fung Ming Opera Company debuted at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as the first Cantonese Opera Group performing thereat.

Lina’s tenure at the Chor Fung Ming Opera Company includes her playing many roles in various plays. Lina can sing in soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto hence making her well known as a versatile colleague in the Company. In 1975, the Chor Fung Ming Opera Company produced two movies: Laugh in the Sleeve (三笑姻緣), Princess Chang Ping (帝女花), and again in 1977: The Legend of Purple Hair Pin (紫釵記), in which Lina played many significant characters.

Since 1989, Lina came to the United States but her passion for Cantonese operas never falters. She continues to perform at many charitable fund-raising events in New York and Canada. In Houston, together with friends and fans, Lina formed the Fun’s Cantonese Opera Academy whose objectives are to promote the Chinese folk arts as well as to provide stylish yet affordable entertainment to the Houston community.

Repertoire of Performances

April, 2006 Performed at the International Festival, Houston Community College, Southwest Campus May-June 2006 - Visiting tour to China, Hong Kong. Met with various opera companies and guest-performed at selected music academies
November, 2006 - Visit to Stoneybrook Healthcare Center (Volunteer Houston)
November, 2006 - Talk Show on Houston Southern Chinese Radio Network – KGOL - AM1050 about Cantonese Opera
December, 2006 - Performed at the Chinese Civic Center Senior Party
February, 2007 - Anniversary performance at Southern Chinese Daily News Conference Hall (The event was not-for-profit and mainly for the local elders)
February, 2007 - Guest appearance at 2007 Lunar New Year Festival (Chinese Community Center)
February, 2007 - Guest appearance at Asian Lunar New Year Celebration (hosted by the South China Daily News)
February, 2007 - Performed at the Event organized by Asian Merchants Association
April, 2007 - Guest Lectures at the Houston Community College on Cantonese Opera Makeup and Movements (Sponsored by the Fulbright Association – Southeast Texas Chapter)
April, 2007 - Performed at the Heinan Theater “An Evening of Harmonious Cultures” (Sponsored by the Fulbright Association – Southeast Texas Chapter)
May 2007 - Performed at the Artery Theater, “Music Beyond Borders”
May 2007 - Guest appearance at the Houston KPFT FM 90.1 to introduce Cantonese Opera
June 2007 - Introduced by the Chinese Consulate of Houston to visit various official Cantonese Opera groups in China, with guest appearance thereat
February, 2008 - Guest appearance at Asian Lunar New Year Festival (hosted by the South China Daily News)
April, 2008 - Second Anniversary performance at South-China Daily Conference Hall (The event was again not-for-profit and mainly for the local elders)
May, 2008 - Performed at the International Festival, HISD Liberty High School