Cantonese Yueju Opera Artist Hong Xiannu

 Peking Opera artist Yu Kuizhi

 Yuju Opera master Xiong Meiling

 Kunqu Opera artist Zhang Jingxian

 Yueju Opera female Sheng Mao Weitao

 Hebei Bangzi artist Xu Heying

 Huangmei Opera

 Sichuan Opera

To appreciate eight traditional and well-known Chinese operas within one program is not something that usually happens. Plus, the performers are great masters in Peking Opera, Cantonese Yueju Opera, Kunqu Opera, Yueju Opera, Hebei Bangzi, Yuju opera, Huangmei Opera and Sichuan Opera. Those who love traditional Chinese opera will be treated with an unbelievably spectacular feast in Guangzhou.

Voice of Great China - 2005 Guangdong Concert of Masters in Traditional Chinese Operas and the Classical Pieces - will be presented at Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall in Guangzhou from November 1.

 Cantonese Yueju Opera

Cantonese Yueju Opera has a history of 300 years. It is also called "Guangdong Bangzi" or "Guangdong Great Opera." Dubbed Red Bean of Guangdong Province, Cantonese Yueju Opera serves as a window through which one can get a real feel for the cultural flavor of the Cantonese region.

Hong Xiannu is a renowned Yueju actress, who mainly plays the Dan role. She absorbed her vocal techniques from other traditional opera forms as well as western ones, and led a reform of vocal music which later laid the basis for her own musical style: the female aria.

In addition, another Yueju master Chen Xiaohan play his Sheng role in the show. The old artist began to learn Yueju at the age of 9. More than 50 years' performing experience is accumulated in his artistic skills and inspiration. His unique presentation style is called B Tone.

 Peking Opera

Peking Opera is the most well known Chinese opera and enjoys tremendous popularity in both China and abroad. With its fascinating and artistic accompanying music, singing and costumes, Peking Opera is China's national opera. It has a 200-year-long history. Its main melodies originated from Xipi and Erhuang in Anhui and Hubei respectively and, over time, techniques from many other local operas have been incorporated.

The show has invited eight Peking Opera masters to take part. Among them, Yu Kuizhi is "the most charming Laosheng" and "a guarantee at the box office." The famous Qingyi performer, Liu Changyu, gained her fame nationwide when she played Tiemei in Red Lantern . Her performance is based on the careful study of the personality of characters.

 Yuju Opera

Yuju Opera, also called Henan Bangzi Opera, Ou Opera and Tubang Opera, is one of the most popular local operas all over the country. Its earliest written record can be traced back more than 200 years.

Xiong Meiling was a shining Yuju star at the age of 10. Her handsome Dan role and elegant singing impress audiences.

 Kunqu Opera

Kunqu is an almost 500-year-old opera that uniquely blends poetic eloquence, musical refinement and dramatics. It is the first and foremost Chinese performing art. Its plots are elaborate poems of high literary quality. All motions and emotions are expressed by the elaborately made up and resplendently robed actors through dancing, singing and acting against a stark background on a bare stage with a minimum of props.

Zhang Jingxian is from Shanghai Qunqu Troupe. Unlike other artists who gained their fame at a young age, she has found her own performance style mature in her forties.

 Yueju Opera

In the early 20th century, a form of opera called Luodi Changshu Diao was popular in the area of Shengxian County in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It was named "Yue Opera" because it has its origin in part of Yue State in the Spring and Autumn Period dating back about 2,000 years ago. As the performers sang to the accompaniment of a rhythmic didu ( didu is a sound made by a drum and sandalwood clappers) they were also called "Didu troupes."

Sheng is a male role in Chinese traditional operas and usually played by men performers. But female artist Mao Weitao's Sheng role is played in a brand new way. Some audiences think her performance looks more handsome than those of male artists.

 Hebei Bangzi

Hebei Bangzi is the main type of drama in Hebei Province. In the past it was called Jing Wooden Clapper Opera, Zhili Wooden Clapper Opera and Wei (referring to Tianjinwei) Wooden Clapper Opera before it became Hebei Wooden Clapper Opera in 1952. It is popular in northern China.

Hebei Bangzi artist Xu Heying introduces some innovations to the artform based on her more-than-20-year performance experience, making it more agreeable to modern audiences.

 Huangmei Opera

Once called "Huangmei Tune" or "Caicha Opera," Huangmei Opera is one of the most famous traditional operas in China. As a local drama in East China's Anhui Province, Huangmei Opera actually originated in Huangmei County, Hubei Province, during the 18th century when Chinese local operas were flourishing.

Now, the opera has grown into a professional performance piece in both rural and urban areas, becoming a recreational activity for millions of people.

 Sichuan Opera

Sichuan Opera is a renowned local opera mainly prevailing in Southwestern China's Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhouis. It is noted for its pitched tune accompanied only by percussion and chorus without any wind or string instruments.

It also built a system of stylized movements and its acting is both exquisite and vivid. In order to portray special characters, it creates a series of stunts including face changing, with the performer dramatically changing his appearance in sudden fashion on stage.

Most of the programmers in the wide repertoire of the Sichuan opera are adapted from Chinese classical novels, mythology, legends and folk tales. Their performances are always full of wit, humor, lively dialogue and pronounced local flavor.