Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong: A Guide to Theory, Music and Performance

Overview

Conducted in English, this guided talk introduces Cantonese opera from broad cultural perspectives to specific artistic features. Dr. Stephen Suen will begin by comparing Chinese xiqu and Western opera, exploring their differences and connections in storytelling, music and performance. This will be followed by Jackie Leung’s introduction to the abstract aesthetics and stage concepts of Cantonese opera, including stylized movements, symbolic space and expressive theatrical language. The session will conclude with Yemina Yu’s sharing on Cantonese opera music and performance, highlighting key features of singing, movement and stage presentation. Through these three perspectives, audiences will gain a deeper appreciation of Cantonese opera as an important cultural tradition of Hong Kong.

Event Details

• Date and Time｜Sunday, 8 November 2026, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Venue｜Yuet Ming Auditorium, 5/F, Chong Yuet Ming Cultural Centre, HKU
• Language｜English
• Programme｜Public Talk

Speaker Profile

Dr. Stephen Suen

Founder of Chamber of Young Snow.

Jackie Leung

Jackie Leung began learning Cantonese opera from a young age, and was champion of the Cantonese operatic singing category at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival for four consecutive years. She was also an awardee of the inaugural Shenzhen-Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Cantonese Operatic Singing Exchange Showcase. She has participated in productions and training with Kim Sum Cantonese Opera Association, the Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong, and the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase, and has performed in works including Heartless Sword, Heartfelt Heaven and Writing Spring and Autumn in Blood. In 2023, she held her first solo Cantonese operatic singing concert. Leung graduated from The University of Hong Kong with degrees in law and politics and completed legal traineeship; driven by her passion for Cantonese opera, she later chose to pursue xiqu.

Yemina Yu

Yemina began learning piano, erhu, and Cantonese operatic singing from a young age, and was the champion of the Inter-School Cantonese Operatic Singing Competition for three consecutive years. She pursued her studies at McGill University in Canada, and upon returning to Hong Kong in 2017, won the overall championship at the Shenzhen-Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Cantonese Operatic Singing Competition. She has taught Cantonese operatic singing at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and is currently a Cantonese opera performer and Cantonese operatic singing instructor. She also studied Veterinary Medicine at City University of Hong Kong on a full scholarship, graduating with First Class Honours.