RED BOAT TROUPES AND CANTONESE ... - University of Georgia

stages. The exchange, after a separation of more than three decade, was a happy reunion. The
marriage was a friendly overture for other future economic and business cooperation.
Red Thread Lady (Hung Sin Neoi, b. 1927) was one of the best-known female singers in
the 1940s and 1950s. She left Hong Kong in 1955 for China. She had lead-roles in 70 movies
and 200 opera plays. 156 Now in her 80s, she is still very active in teaching students. Her
dedication to art is highly praised in China and overseas. Her 2009 tour to Hong Kong promoted
a Cantonese opera Cartoon, Sassy Princess and Her Husband. In her seminar, she said that she
would not do anything that is not related to improving her singing skills. She never stopped
learning. Besides learning singing from Peking opera performer Mui Lang Fong, she studied
body movement and water sleeve from Yu Chung Fai, and Western Opera from Chow Siu Yin.
Because of her influence, Cantonese opera singers from China has a higher placement for
resonance, which leans more to the Western bel canto singing style than their Hong Kong
counterparts.
Vancouver
My trip to Vancouver in the summer of 2003 included visits to a few Cantonese opera
singing activities in the city. Vancouver is a city populated with Cantonese people. It has a long
history with Cantonese immigrants dating from the 1800s. The return of Hong Kong to China in
1997 prompted people to immigrate to Canada. For many of them, Vancouver was the first port
of entry. Many stayed there because of the mild weather and beautiful scenery.
I visited an opera institution in Richmond, a suburb in the Greater Vancouver Area. It
was set up by a professional instrumentalist who had been trained in Guangzhou. He plays the
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Hifitrack.com. “Hung Sin Neoi,” Music Powerhouse Company. http://www.hifitrack.com/zh-hant/node/2561
(accessed April 11, 2010).
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