Cantonese Opera Singing Styles in Hong Kong : A Study on Innovation and Inheritance (1930s–1970s)

The study combines scholarly insights with findings from interviews to exploration of ways to innovate and sustain the development of Cantonese opera singing styles in Hong Kong.

This open access book examines the innovation and inheritance of Cantonese opera singing styles in Hong Kong from the 1930s to the 1970s. It delves into the background and current state of Cantonese opera singing, focusing on its inheritance and localization. The study combines scholarly insights with findings from interviews to exploration of ways to innovate and sustain the development of Cantonese opera singing styles in Hong Kong. Originally written in Chinese, this English translation promotes and transfers knowledge of the art to a global audience, to extend the influence of Cantonese opera worldwide. Part I features interviews with Cantonese opera scholars and practitioners, discussing evolutions in the art form and the challenges of preserving it amidst changing times. It captures the experiences of practitioners in learning and developing their unique singing styles. Part II includes essays by scholars and enthusiasts, documenting the evolution of Cantonese opera singing styles in Hong Kong, exploring further potential directions for innovation. By analysing singing styles and the use of Cantonese sounds, the book enhances public awareness of Cantonese opera aesthetics and creativity. It charts a new path for the inheritance and development of Hong Kong’s local Cantonese opera traditions, while addressing the limitations faced by artists in creating their own styles. It is a timely translation for scholars working across East Asian classical arts and culture, and for scholars studying opera and its history and cultural development, globally.