“Lingering Echoes - Heritage and Innovation of Nanyin”First Talk“Nanyin Appreciation: Heritage and Innovation in the Culture of Narrative Singing”
Publication Date: 2025-08-15
Jointly presented by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Co-organised by Tung Wah Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Speakers: Professor Yuen Siu-fai (maestro of Cantonese opera)
Date: 28 June 2025 (Saturday)
“Lingering Echoes - Heritage and Innovation of Nanyin” Activity Series
First Talk “Nanyin Appreciation: Heritage and Innovation in the Culture of Narrative Singing”
Nanyin, a form of Cantonese narrative singing cherished in the Pearl River Delta, boasts a profound cultural heritage. Drawing on the research of Professor Yuen Siu-fai, this lecture delves into the evolution of nanyin from its traditional roots, where blind musicians accompanied by the guzheng performed, to its innovative interpretations that incorporate modern music and art forms. The talk will highlight classic pieces to discuss the integration of nanyin into Cantonese Opera in the early 20th century, and explore recent innovative efforts to blend nanyin with contemporary music. It will elucidate how nanyin has preserved its distinctive traditional features in Hong Kong while being rejuvenated within contemporary culture, moving from teahouses and taverns to university lecture halls and cultural stages, thereby perpetuating its rich heritage.