Shangdang Bangzi Opera Makes Hong Kong Debut at 2026 Chinese Culture Festival

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August. Led by Chen Suqin, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) representative bearer of Shangdang Bangzi opera and a China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner, the troupe's outstanding performers will stage the classic masterpiece "The Banquet at Sanguan" and three selected opera excerpts. Characterised by soaring and soulful vocals, and unique stylised movements, the performances are set to display the distinctive grandeur and theatrical charm of Shangdang Bangzi opera. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.

Shangdang Bangzi opera, one of the four major Bangzi opera systems of Shanxi, is popular in the southeastern region of Shanxi, an area historically known as Shangdang Prefecture during the Qin and Han dynasties. It entered its golden age during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty, giving rise to two distinct schools: the Zhoudi and Lufu schools. The singing is rooted in the "banqiang" (rhythmic-melodic) system, and the male and female roles share the same tonal register. Its musical style is steady and vigorous, while the performance aesthetic is bold and impassioned. The traditional repertoire focuses on paodai (court and martial costume) plays, notably featuring the heroic sagas of the generals of the Yang family and the troops under Yue Fei. Shangdang Bangzi opera was inscribed on the First National List of ICH in 2006.

Details of the two performances are as follows:

"The Banquet at Sanguan"

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Date and time: August 14 (Friday), 7.30pm

"The Banquet at Sanguan" is one of the representative works of Shangdang Bangzi opera. Adapted from the story of Yang Yanhui (Silang, the fourth son of the Yang family) being recruited as the son-in-law of the Liao Kingdom, it tells the tragedy of Silang's mother, Dowager She, exposing Silang's true identity in front of Empress Dowager Xiao, which drives Princess Taohua to crash against a pillar in shame and fury, and leads Silang to take his own life. Through this unique lens, the play condemns Silang's treason for personal gain while honouring Dowager She's unwavering patriotism. Chen Suqin will perform with Class One performers Qi Suzhen and Zheng Fagen, vividly capturing Empress Dowager Xiao's grief over the loss of her daughter, Dowager She's sacrifice of personal feelings for the greater cause, and Silang's agonising inner turmoil. Paired with traditional percussion and unique costume designs, the production fully embodies the authentic flavour of Shangdang heritage.

Excerpts

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Date and time: August 15 (Saturday), 7.30pm

This programme features a selection of three classic Shangdang Bangzi opera excerpts. "To Kill His Wife" is a representative work of vocal innovation within the genre. Its classic aria, "The Plum Tree by the Window is My Friend", features beautiful lyrics and melody, fully displaying Chen Suqin's deep vocal prowess. Representing the martial tradition, "Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao" and "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass" belong to the classic Yang family saga. The high-pitched, robust vocals are paired with a continuous display of spectacular stunts, such as hair flinging, flips and splits. The finale, "Forced into Insanity" from "Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace", places equal emphasis on singing and acting. Chen Suqin employs soaring, impassioned vocals to chart the protagonist's psychological breakdown - from terror to madness due to her beloved child's ordeal in palace intrigue - portraying it to the fullest and unleashing the overwhelming emotional force of Shangdang Bangzi opera.

Founded in 1938, the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City is widely acclaimed as the "premier Shangdang bangzi troupe". With a steadfast commitment to both preserving heritage and fostering innovation, the troupe has nurtured a lineage of stellar artists across four generations. Its repertoire features the enduring classic "The Banquet at Sanguan", alongside new productions such as "Tai Hang Niang Qin" (Mother of Tai Hang) and "Mother and Son of Han Dynasty", which have garnered numerous awards. While actively engaging in cultural exchanges both at home and abroad, the troupe remains deeply rooted in the community, staging more than 300 performances annually.

The two performances will be held at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $190, $290 and $390 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/shangdang-bangzi-opera-theatre-of-jincheng-city/.

A meet-the-artists session entitled "The Unique Artistic Features and Vocal Characteristics of Shangdang Bangzi Opera" (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on August 13 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Chen Suqin will be the speaker while Chinese opera researcher Sheng Yihui will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). If the spaces for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue's entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.

The programme will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" to be held at 2.30pm on August 15 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, with free admission for local primary and secondary school students. Artists of the troupe will perform the "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass", a classic excerpt about the saga of the loyal Yang family generals. Through a series of traditional operatic stylised techniques, including bazigong (acrobatic fighting with traditional Chinese weapons), hair flinging and flipping, performers will recount the intense, heroic spirit of the battlefield, which serves as an engaging guide for students to discover and appreciate the artistic style of Chinese regional opera.

The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. This year's CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 has invited Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August to present a classic play and excerpts. Photo shows a scene from the performance "Forced into Insanity" from "Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August to present a classic play and excerpts. Photo shows a scene from the performance "Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao" and "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August to present a classic play and excerpts. Photo shows a scene from the performance "To Kill His Wife". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August to present a classic play and excerpts. Photo shows a scene from the performance "The Banquet at Sanguan". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SITI at Blooming with AI: Summer Talent Fest 2026 and Kick-off Ceremony for "AI for All" Inclusive Programme

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Blooming with AI: Summer Talent Fest 2026 and Kick-off Ceremony for "AI for All" Inclusive Programme today (July 14):

Cordelia (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Ms Cordelia Chung), Terry (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong), distinguished guests and our young talents from all over the world,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join all of you today at the Blooming with AI: Summer Talent Fest 2026 and Kick-off Ceremony of the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme. A special welcome to Cordelia, our new Chairman of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). I am confident that under your leadership, the HKSTP will grow from strength to strength and scale new heights in advancing Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development.

I am truly thrilled to see this room buzzing with university students, rising young professionals and visionary innovators. Your incredible energy, boundless creativity and bold ambition are the engine that will propel Hong Kong into its next chapter as a global I&T powerhouse.

AI is no longer a futuristic dream - it is our current reality, rewriting how we live, work and conquer global challenges. As AI evolves at breakneck speed, our top priority must be nurturing fresh talent and arming the next generation with the cutting-edge skills and opportunities to lead this revolution.

That is precisely why I am delighted to launch the HKSTP's "AI for All" Inclusive Programme today, an important initiative announced in the 2026-27 Budget. Through AI masterclasses and hands-on training, this programme equips you with rock-solid foundations and helps transform sparks of inspiration into real-world impact. Most importantly, we are bridging the gap between learning and earning by connecting you directly with industry giants through targeted career fairs, giving you direct insight into what top-tier companies are looking for and how you prepare yourselves to meet those expectations.

This mission perfectly reflects the Government's overarching "AI for All" strategy to spark AI literacy across every corner of our society, and aligns closely with the national AI+ Initiative. We remain fully committed to backing initiatives that champion new talent, ignite collaboration and supercharge AI adoption across all sectors.

To our young trailblazers here today: seize this moment. Stay relentlessly curious, dare to dream, and view every setback as a setup for a comeback. Remember, the true future of AI is not just about the code - it is about the creators. Each of you holds the blueprint to shape that future.

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to the HKSTP on launching the Summer Talent Fest 2026 and the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme. I wish every participant an extraordinary, inspiring, and transformative journey ahead.

Thank you very much.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the Blooming with AI: HKSTP Summer Talent Fest 2026 and Kick-off Ceremony for "AI for All" Inclusive Programme today (July 14). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases