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Transmission and Transformation of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong: From School Education to Professional Training

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Creative Arts in Education and Culture

Part of the book series: Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education ((LAAE,volume 13))

Abstract

Cultural and national education through formal schooling has been encouraged since the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Consequently, Cantonese opera has been incorporated into different school subjects such as Chinese Language, General Studies, and Music. Extra-curricular classes in Cantonese opera have been conducted both inside and outside of schools. However, the transmission of Cantonese opera has been considered at risk since master artists have faded out from the stage, with the new generation struggling to continue the craft. Furthermore, few young individuals have been observed demonstrating support and appreciation for the genre by attending performances. Recognized as an “intangible cultural heritage” initiated by the Hong Kong government, Cantonese opera has implanted its cultural and artistic position since the early twentieth century. This chapter addresses four issues related to the transmission and transformation of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong: (1) nature of and attributions to the difficulties in transmission; (2) process of nurturing future audience through school education; (3) transmission from the master artists to the young performers; and (4) linkage among school education, professional training, and the cultural contexts of Hong Kong.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See http://yuensiufai.com/ for Mr. Yuen Siu Fai.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cultural and Creative Arts, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China

    Bo Wah Leung

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  1. Bo Wah Leung
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Correspondence to Bo Wah Leung .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Cultural and Creative Arts, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR

    Samuel Leong

  2. Dept. of Culture and Creative Arts, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR

    Bo Wah Leung

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Leung, B.W. (2013). Transmission and Transformation of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong: From School Education to Professional Training. In: Leong, S., Leung, B. (eds) Creative Arts in Education and Culture. Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7729-3_11

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