An exhibition entitled “Long-lasting Charm of Cantonese Opera” (澳門情懷 “粵韻悠長” 粵劇藝術展), featuring Cantonese Opera costumes, musical instruments, photograph archives, and traditional face masks (臉譜), is on display at the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) gallery until April 6.
The exhibition aims to reveal the beauty and art of Cantonese Opera (粵劇) as well as its development and history in Macau to the public, according to a statement by Macau General Association of Chinese Opera and Musical Art (澳門粵劇曲藝總會).
The exhibition is co-hosted by the association and IAM.
The statement said that the exhibition aims to enhance the public’s understanding of Cantonese Opera. Moreover, it features presentations on Cantonese opera’s origins, costumes, styling, singing, acting, Macau performance venues, and biographies of famous artists. The statement underlines that Cantonese Opera has been described as a performance that “tells stories with songs and dances”.
The exhibition is divided into four parts – “Source Exploration of the Treasure” (瑰寶探源), “Liyuan Footprints in Macau” (梨園澳踪), “Embark on the Stage in Costumes and Props” (粉墨登場), and “Guangdong Rhyme with Children’s Voice” (粵韵童音).
The Liyuan (“Pear Garden”) was the first known royal performing arts and musical academy in China, founded during the Tang Dynasty by Emperor Xuanzong (712–755),
The exhibition includes a red boat. A text board next to the red boat underline that Cantonese Opera troupes often performed on boats in the Pearl River Delta area from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, adding that the boats’ body were painted red. The statement said that the red boat was also a dining and accommodation place for the troupe members. Moreover, it was only till the 1930s when major performance venues were established which led to the red boat troupes’ gradual disappearance.
The statement noted that Cantonese Opera originated during the Chenghua (成化) Period of the Ming Dynasty (1456–1487). As the opera continued to develop it blended the characteristics of different operas in various regions such as Foshan, the statement added.
Cantonese Opera was listed as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2009. The statement underlines that developing an interest in Cantonese Opera could help youths understand the connotations of traditional Chinese virtues.
Cantonese Opera performances are held by young artists at the gallery between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays between February 20 (this Sunday) and April 3.
Cantonese Opera is one of five types of Chinese Opera. The others are Beijing Opera, Huangmei Opera from Anhui, Henan (Yuju) Opera, and Yue (Shaoxing) Opera.
As part of the government’s COVID-19 prevention measures, visitors need to wear a facemask, have their temperature checked and present a digital health code when entering the gallery.
The exhibition runs until April 6 in the ground-floor gallery at the IAM headquarters in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. It opens daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Photos: Camy Tam
