In 2009, Cantonese opera was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. At the time, Professor Stephen Chow Chun-kay, the current Academy Chairman, chaired the Home Affairs Bureau's Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee and was one of the Hong Kong representatives in the joint application for the inscription by Hong Kong, Macao and the Guangdong Province. The preservation and transmission of Cantonese opera was thus brought into the limelight. In support of the cultural mission of the Hong Kong government, the Academy launched a full-time diploma and an advanced diploma programme in 1999 and 2001 respectively. In 2013, the School of Chinese Opera was established to offer the world's first Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Degree in Chinese Opera.
Professor Martin Lau, Dean of Chinese Opera, has over 20 years of professional experience as a Cantonese opera music leader and director. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous stars of the profession, including maestro Dr Lam Kar-sing, Yau Sing-po, Wan Fai-yin and Nam Fung, etc. Professor Lau is an advocate of lifelong learning: he is currently undertaking a doctorate in Education at the University of Southern California, after obtaining an MEd from Boston University. He believes the School has a responsibility to cultivate a new generation of artists and professionals for Cantonese opera in Hong Kong. "The School of Chinese Opera aspires to provide students with professional and holistic training in Cantonese opera performance and music through an innovative, interdisciplinary, and globally focused education."
Cantonese opera is popular in the Guangdong region and has flourished since the early 20th century. In the late 1990s, the Academy initiated its first Chinese Opera programme. Professor Lau confirms that the mission of the School has not deviated since its early history. "The School strives to cultivate Cantonese opera and formalise it within an academic framework. There are two benefits to this: preservation and transmission. Inheritance is a challenge for many traditional performing artforms because knowledge transfer relies on oral transmission. Therefore, there may be inconsistencies in the knowledge delivery. Our mission is to create a 'knowledge database' and transfer knowledge to young Cantonese opera practitioners through a formal systematic outcome-based approach."
Since its establishment in 2013, the School has twice undergone accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. These exercises reviewed stakeholders' opinions with the objective of enhancing the management and delivery of the programmes. On the one hand, the programmes consist of traditional practice such as foundational work; on the other, the teaching and learning activities utilise contemporary technology and pedagogy to nurture the 21st century performing artists. "By utilising technology and innovative pedagogy, we aspire to sustain Cantonese opera through our students, alumni, and faculty."
Modernised Training
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Degree in Chinese Opera consists of two majors – Cantonese opera performance and Cantonese opera music; both include professional training and general education elements. The programme covers liberal arts, Chinese music, Chinese opera genres, Western music theory, and drama acting, etc. Applicants to the Diploma in Cantonese Opera Foundations, Advanced Diploma, and BFA programmes need to complete their Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), National Joint College Entrance Examination (JEE) or equivalent qualifications. "Performance majors normally have some basic knowledge of Cantonese opera. But as there are no secondary schools in Hong Kong that solely offer professional performing arts training, applicants are generally those who are interested in Cantonese opera or have been trained in a youth Cantonese opera troupe. Music majors need to have practical skills in their instrument of choice. It is quite exciting that some of our current students have recommended our programmes to their younger secondary schoolmates."
Training offered by the School is different from the traditional apprenticeship or the oral transmission of knowledge in opera troupes. Professor Lau stresses that there is not necessarily a dichotomy between modern institutional learning and the traditional master-apprentice model. "The modern academia can take the best from the traditional model and integrate it into contemporary outcome-based educational programme. For example, faculty can provide mentorship and career counselling to our students. We also engage Cantonese opera veterans to teach masterclasses or be visiting artists. We offer internship opportunities to other sectors related to Chinese opera industry, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, RTHK Radio 5, etc." One of the ways the School aims to enhance teaching and learning is through technology and data analysis. The School will introduce "SOBA" (Spatial Outcomes-Based Assessment System), a system under development that aims to create an archival database and objective assessment methodology.
Practising on Stage
The School stages Gongs and Drums every semester to provide students with performance opportunities. "This is the highlight of every semester. The event is the culmination of the hard work of our students and faculty. Gongs and Drums is more than a show; it's an opportunity to practise what they have learned, and a platform for teachers to assess students."
Due to the pandemic, the live performances of Gongs and Drums in the last two semesters were cancelled. In recognition of the perseverance of the faculty and students, the School filmed the cancelled excerpts and will premiere them online this July during the School of Chinese Opera Festival. The excerpts include 'Complaining at the Inn' from Havoc at Guang Chang Long, Divine Maiden Strewing Flowers, 'Grand Battle' from The Impetuous Generals, 'Punishing the Son' from Beauty in Disguise, 'Plunging into the River' from A Thorn Hairpin, 'Fengyi Pavilion' from The Affair Between Liu Bo and Diu Sim and Romance by the Peach Blossom Lake. The upcoming Gongs and Drums will break new ground by including a vocal repertoire, orchestral performance as well as the normal Cantonese opera excerpt. The Festival will also have exciting events such as graduate performances and recitals, school tours, workshops, backstage visits and the first public demonstration of the new SOBA assessment system.
After completing the four-year BFA programme, most graduates enter the local Cantonese opera industry. "Graduates can choose to become actors or musicians; they can also pursue backstage production or administrative work. Our programmes emphasise holistic education. For example, our graduate performance requires a student to curate a show from the very beginning to its final production. Some of our graduates have also pursued postgraduate studies."
Sustainability
Cantonese opera has been undergoing changes in recent years, with much effort being placed on curating the next generation of artists and attracting younger audiences. When asked how to arouse interest for younger people, Professor Lau believes that most people who like Cantonese opera are often influenced by their family or simply enjoy the aesthetics of the artform. Producers need to adopt up-to-date promotion methods that can stand out among the many different types of entertainment available. They must also consider the pace of modern life and the attention span of the digital age. "In order to attract younger people to appreciate Cantonese opera, we should introduce new pieces that better reflect modern culture and consider shortening the length of the performances. We should also integrate innovative technology to create a new visual experience of Cantonese opera."
Looking ahead, the School will continue its cultural mission of preservation and transmission of Cantonese opera. Professor Lau is developing a platform for lifelong learning beyond the existing degree and diploma programmes. "We will develop a Cantonese opera programme for children aged 6 to 11 as we believe it is important to cultivate interest at a young age. In October, we will also launch the 'Cantonese Opera Youth Programme'. This programme is designed to provide formal Cantonese opera training to students aged 12 to 18. Furthermore, we offer courses for practitioners and other interested individuals who wish to further their Cantonese opera training through EXCEL (Extension and Continuing Education for Life), the continuing education arm of the Academy. In the near future, we will launch a Master's programme."
(The article was published in the July 2021 issue of Academy News. Click here to read the original story.)