Intergenerational Xiqu Journey encourages intergenerational dialogue
“ This is my first-ever to watch Cantonese opera with my grand daughter”
“For me in the past, Xiqu is something that I do not familiarise with. After joining this programme, I realised we could play, try and learn a lot from Xiqu and pass them on to next generations”
- Feedbacks from participants of Intergenerational Xiqu Journey
The Intergenerational Xiqu Journey is a Cantonese opera experience designed for people aged 60 or above and their younger family members. Through the activities, participants are led from appreciation to hands-on participation, and encouraging intergenerational dialogues.
Taking place between May and July 2022, over 200 participants from nearly 90 families visited the Xiqu Centre for an “Intergenerational Xiqu Journey". The two half-day Cantonese opera experience included a guided tour of the Xiqu Centre, a fun Cantonese Opera movement workshop and a performance by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe.
After the events at the Xiqu Centre, each participating family completes their journey by creating a collaborative artwork inspired by their experience. Completed artworks will be digitised and exhibited at the Xiqu Centre from the end of September and go online at our official website from October. More details will be announced soon on our website.
The Intergenerational Xiqu Journey programme is generously supported by the Lee Kum Kee Family Foundation.
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Performing Arts Season 2022-23: Wonders Await
At their best, the performing arts can be thought-provoking, causing audiences to step out of the theatre with greater self-knowledge and new understandings and inspirations. The creative approaches behind this season’s xiqu, dance, music and theatre productions at West Kowloon embrace cutting-edge arts tech to renew the artistic practices we all know and love. The stage is set – so make the trip to discover the wonders that await, one performance at a time. Watch our season video!
The highlights of this season include:
- “Creative Tomorrow” – Exclusively sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, this arts tech festival explores endless possibilities on stage and in public spaces for the performing arts and technologies to work hand in hand.
- Xiqu – An all-new Magic Tea House show featuring robotics and AI technology premieres, while the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2022 highlights local xiqu artists, with generous support from the Friends of Hong Kong Association.
- Dance – Audience members can dive into in-person digital experiences in “Phygital D”, and marvel at works in the woman choreographer-themed Freespace Dance season.
- Music – The annual Freespace Jazz Fest comes back stronger than ever, playing great sounds non-stop, while the Weekly Gigs continue to showcase our exceptional local musicians.
- Theatre – The Freespace × HKRep original musical The Impossible Trial, proudly sponsored by Panasonic, finally receives its premiere, and “The Future of Performance” series explores contemporary theatre practices in two unique productions.
- Learning and Participation – Diverse activities organised by the Xiqu Centre and Freespace include Guided Tours and The Dance WE Made @ West Kowloon.
Discover the full programme line-up: wk.org.hk/season2223
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The Tea House Rising Stars Troupe presents: Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) (excerpts) and “Reunion of Sword and Hairpin” from The Purple Hairpin
In this digital presentation, the musicians and performers of the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe showcase traditional and modern styles in two performances: the contemporary instrumental work Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) and a classic excerpt from the Cantonese opera The Purple Hairpin, “Reunion of Sword and Hairpin”.
The Tea House Rising Stars Troupe is the resident performance troupe at the Xiqu Centre Tea House Theatre. The troupe presents the flagship programme Tea House Theatre Experience, led by renowned Cantonese opera actor Law Ka-ying as Artistic Curator and Director.
Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) (excerpts)
Composer, Rehearsal Curator: Professor Richard Tsang
Performers: Musicians of the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe
“Reunion of Sword and Hairpin” from The Purple Hairpin
Playwright: Tong Dik-sang
Performers: Chan Chak-lui, Chan Hei-yu
Producer: Naomi Chung
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The Yellow River Boatmen (Excerpt)
The 20 young drummers of the award-winning Hong Kong troupe Refiner Drums present a rousing, physical performance evoking the power of the Yellow River and the courage and strength of the boatmen as they work together to navigate the waves.
Recorded at the Xiqu Centre in 2021, the striking performance showcases an excerpt from The Yellow River Boatmen – a rousing piece inspired by the traditional heritage drumming style of Jiangzhou, that was written by the Shanxi Jiangzhou Drum Troupe and notated by Zhang Li.
Produced by the Xiqu Centre
Producer : Naomi Chung
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Specially devised for secondary school students, The D. H. Chen Foundation – West Kowloon Tea House Student Matinees extend arts learning beyond the classroom and allow students to learn about Cantonese opera and traditional culture in a stimulating, inter-disciplinary way.
Through narrated performances presented by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, students explore the art of xiqu and traditional Chinese culture, and get a fresh perspective on Chinese opera classics and their relevance to contemporary society.
Specially devised for secondary school students, The D. H. Chen Foundation – West Kowloon Tea House Student Matinees extend arts learning beyond the classroom and allow students to learn about Cantonese opera and traditional culture in a stimulating, inter-disciplinary way.
Through narrated performances presented by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, students explore the art of xiqu and traditional Chinese culture, and get a fresh perspective on Chinese opera classics and their relevance to contemporary society.
Specially devised for secondary school students, The D. H. Chen Foundation – West Kowloon Tea House Student Matinees extend arts learning beyond the classroom and allow students to learn about Cantonese opera and traditional culture in a stimulating, inter-disciplinary way.
Through narrated performances presented by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, students explore the art of xiqu and traditional Chinese culture, and get a fresh perspective on Chinese opera classics and their relevance to contemporary society.
Online Digital Music Programme “Ling Kai” (Spirit’s Domain)
Presented by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe
Professor Richard Tsang
Composer of “Ling Kai”
Rehearsal Curator of the online digital music programme “Ling Kai” (Spirit’s Domain)
Professor Richard Tsang has been for many years the Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild and Vice-Chairman of the Asian Composers’ League (ACL); and since 2013 an Honorary Member of the ACL. From 2002-08, he was elected President of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM), the first non-European to hold this position since the society’s establishment in 1923. Professor Tsang has served for many years as Dean of Students and Professor of Music at the Education University of Hong Kong, actively involved in the research and promotion of Creative Musicking concept and practices. He is also a veteran broadcaster and has worked with Radio Television Hong Kong since 1979 in various capacities as producer, channel head and Head of English Programme Services. Over the years, Tsang has been active in the promotion of contemporary music and has organized many international exchange events and festivals in this field.
Ms. Naomi Chung
Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Producer of online digital music programme “LING KAI” (Spirit’s Domain)
Naomi Chung joined West Kowloon as Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts in 2011. Since then she has produced a number of events, including the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre (2012, 2013, 2014), Freespace Fest (2012), the Xiqu Centre Seminar Series, Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera, The Ghost Seller & His Butterflies, the Experimental Cantonese opera Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation) and cultural exchange programmes in mainland China. Most recently she produced The Reincarnation of Red Plum for the grand opening of the Xiqu Centre. Before joining West Kowloon, Naomi Chung was Technical Director of Hong Kong productions at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, and Head of Programmes & Education with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (2001–2009).
Musicians
LEE Tik Lun | Gaohu
MAI Jiawei | Percussion
SZETO Wai Suet | Pipa
John HO Chun Hei | Dizi, Dongxiao
YUE Kin Long | Soprano Sheng
YUEN Ka Yi | Zheng
LIU Chun Hei | Erhu
Prof. Richard Tsang – Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain)
Ling Kai, or the Spirit’s Domain, is music for the spirit.
The contemporary music piece Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) was created by Prof. Richard Tsang and premiered in 1978. Filmed by the Xiqu Centre, the 2021 live performance of Ling Kai was performed by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe and produced by Naomi Chung.
The work conceptualises and expresses the communication between spirit and souls. The performers are encouraged to fully embody themselves through the sounds of their instruments. As the music unfolds, players feel as if they have been whisked away to a domain where only the spirit exists. The performers communicate with the sounds of their instruments as if they are speaking with their own voices, which amplifies the sense of communication between players and the audience.
Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) emphasises improvisation in contemporary music. The musicians create a contemporary and innovative atmosphere by freely interpreting the music. A great deal of concentration and imagination are essential in playing this piece. Players memorise their parts so that they can close their eyes while playing. The parts are kept simple and are used as starting points for improvisation. Audiences may also wish to close their eyes to feel the sound of a particular instrument and participate in the exchange; or sit back and observe the melding of individual minds and sounds to create a union and a heightened awareness of self.
Ling Kai (Spirit’s Domain) was commissioned by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and premiered in 1978. The work has been included in the Orchestra’s touring programmes in recent years and has been warmly received by the audiences in Berlin (2004), Prague, Dublin, Toronto (2007), Vancouver, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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Constructing the Xiqu Centre Exhibition
Ducky started to learn photography in the 1980s. He worked as a photojournalist from the early 1990s to 2006,and was granted many photography awards. In 2005,he started to develop an interest in the visual arts and founded the Outfocus Group Workshop in 2008. In 2009,Ducky and a number of local photographers established the Hong Kong Photographic Culture Association. Serving as the managing director from 2010 to 2011,he assisted in organising the first Hong Kong International Photo Festival. Ducky’s early works featured photo stories from the streets and recorded changes in society. He even spent some time in Chinese factories to observe the lives of labourers there. Ducky has published over 10 photo albums of his work. His photographs have also been displayed internationally, including in Germany, the US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and mainland China.
To mark the completion of our first major venue and celebrate the contributions of everyone involved,we present a stunning exhibition of Xiqu Centre photographs by photographer Ducky Tse. The images document the eight-year development process – from the initial design drafts to the completed venue. On display from 30 December 2018 in the open public space of the Xiqu Centre Atrium,the exhibition reveals the beauty of the architectural structure and pays tribute to the dedication,hard work and support of the professionals who have made this project possible. The exhibition design takes inspiration from traditional and contemporary theatre spaces.