HKUST Arts Festivals 2023 - Resplendent Beauty on Cantonese Opera Repertoire and Costumes Opening Ceremony

The exhibition focuses on four well-known Cantonese operas, namely, The Buttery Lovers and Muk Gwai-ying Routing Hongzhou by Yip Shiu-tak, The Floral Princess by Tong Dik-sang and The Priceless Jade by Lee Siu-wan, selected based on the diversity of historical backgrounds and themes, to reflect the wide spectrum of the art form. In the creative process of the librettos, the librettists had to arrange traditional tunes, lyrics and dialogues according to the contents and narrative structure of the drama. In addition to having a profound knowledge of Chinese literature and outstanding writing skills, they had to be familiar with performing routines and stage operation, setting out in the plays details such as how actors appear on the stage, timing for costume change and change of scenes, to name just a few.

The four operas are not only renowned for the excellent screenwriting and portrayal of characters, their stage sets and costume designs are also artworks in their own right. The main characters on display in their respective stage sets here are selected to feature royalties, dignitaries, battle commandants, and last but not least, ordinary people, to illustrate the four major types of Cantonese opera outts, namely, python ceremonial robes, armor, gowns with a sloping collar (casual clothing for ordinary people) and gowns with a vertical collar (casual clothing for dignitaries), together with their matching headgears. Visitors will discover the beauty of these artefacts and interact with multimedia presentations in the Library and the foyer of Shaw Auditorium.

展覽選取四部經典名劇為主題，分別為葉紹德的編劇作品《梁山伯與祝英台》及《穆桂英大破洪州》、唐滌生改編的《帝女花》以及李少芸編寫的《連城璧》，每齣戲寶皆以不同時代背景的故事主題為核心，呈現粵劇劇種的多元性。劇作家針對相關題材及敘事結構，編上曲牌（傳統曲調調名）和口白（對白唸詞），創作及改編出齣齣好戲。

除了文學修養和寫作技巧，劇作家也必須把演員出入場的方式、換裝的時間、舞台佈景的轉換等細節納入考量，因此必須對粵劇台前幕後的運作有所掌握。除了精湛的劇本，角色的描繪、佈景的安排以及服飾的搭配也十分講究。人物方面，以四部劇中折子戲裡的主角作展示，其構成包括皇室宗親、達官貴人、武打將領乃至平民百姓等人物。這樣的安排旨在將粵劇的經典人物及其服飾穿搭，分別以蟒、靠、褶及帔四種主要的粵劇服飾類別，及佈景道具的搭配作展示。展覽分別在科大圖書館和逸夫演藝中心以實體和多媒體形式展出，內容豐富，不容錯過。

Exhibition information: https://library.hkust.edu.hk/exhibitions/cantonese-opera/

展覽內容: https://library.hkust.edu.hk/exhibitions/cantonese-opera/?lang=cht

REMARKS 備註

• The organizer reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes to the event program without prior notice. 

         主辦方保留自行決定更改活動的權利，恕不作另行通知。