Cantonese Opera

Cantonese opera, also called Guangfu grand opera, is sung in Cantonese and popular across Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau and overseas Chinese communities, taking shape around the Ming-Qing transition and maturing in modern times. It was among the first local items on Hong Kong's national ICH list, and in 2009, jointly nominated by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Cantonese opera weaves together song, acting, recitation and combat, its singing built on bangzi and erhuang vocal systems and accompanied by gaohu fiddle, gongs and drums, with clearly defined role types, vivid face paint and splendid costumes, its stories drawn from historical romances and folk tales; Hong Kong troupes still stage both temple thanksgiving operas and theatre performances.

Cantonese opera is the core art of Cantonese culture, carrying the Lingnan theatrical tradition and the cultural identity of overseas Chinese, and holds real value for the study of regional opera and cross-cultural exchange.

Cantonese opera can be seen at venues such as the Yau Ma Tei Theatre and Ko Shan Theatre.