From The Consoling Lotus to The Red Plum: The Legend of Tong Tik-sang’s Creative Career

From the Consoling Lotus to the Red Plum: The Legend of Tong Tik-sang’s Creative Career is a special exhibition to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the death of master Tong Tik-sang (1917-1959). Based on the book “The Legend of Tong Tik-sang’s Creative Career” by Professor Chan Sau Yan, this exhibition gives a glimpse into Tong’s career, from his first Cantonese opera The Consoling Lotus of Jiangcheng to his last work The Reincarnation of the Red Plum. The exhibition displays the originals of Tong’s drawings, calligraphy, manuscripts, etc. It also includes videos featuring Tong’s Cantonese opera productions.

A talented and prolific playwright, Tong settled in Hong Kong in 1937 and created The Consoling Lotus for the famous operatic performer Pak Kui Wing (白駒榮) in 1938. He went on to complete over 440 operas in around two decades until he died at the age of 42, when he was at the peak of his creative career. On 14 September 1959 he had a stroke while attending the premiere of The Reincarnation of the Red Plum and passed away the next day. His sudden and tragic death was a tremendous and unrecoverable loss to the Cantonese opera community and opera lovers.

Hailed as the greatest and most influential playwright in the history of Cantonese opera, Tong’s successful career owed much to his extensive knowledge of the literary tradition and versatility which were nurtured by the favorable breeding conditions for Cantonese opera in Hong Kong at that time. Tong is best known for his adaptations of Yuan zaju (drama of the Yuan dynasty) and Ming and Qing chuanqi (opera of the Ming and Qing dynasties); his use of classic, elegant melodies and graceful lyrics elevated Cantonese opera to a sophisticated art form for more cultivated audiences. He also absorbed elements from folklore and western drama and culture to infuse traditional Cantonese opera with modernity and symbolism. All these led not only to the immediate success of his works when they were premiered, but also to their huge popularity through time.

During Tong’s career, he worked with many famous troupes and artists. Of special recognition are those from the climax of his playwriting career, including the San Yim Yeung Opera Troupe led by Fong Yim Fun (芳艷芬); the Sin Fung Ming Opera Troupe led by Pak Suet Sin (白雪仙); and the Lai Sing Opera Troupe led by Ng Kwan Lai (吳君麗). Many of the operas composed and debuted in that period, such as Snow in June, Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers, The Legend of the Purple Hairpin, The Floral Princess, and The Reincarnation of the Red Plum, have become recognized masterpieces and are frequently performed, even today.

This exhibition is a part of the University’s “Cantonese Opera Education Enrichment Project”, jointly organized by HKUST Library, Center for the Arts and the Division of Humanities. As an art that blends Chinese legends, music and drama into a vibrant performance style, Cantonese opera was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. Our project includes a credit-based course “Cantonese Opera and Hong Kong Culture” and workshops for undergraduates, as well as talks and demonstrations, and a performance of Tong’s masterpiece The Floral Princess by students, staff and professionals. Through these activities, we hope to enhance University members’ knowledge of and interest in this unique cultural heritage.

This exhibition would not have come into being without the genuine support of many people. We are extremely grateful to Professor Chan Sau Yan and Miss Yuen Tsz Ying for their advice and permission to use their research findings and materials. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum has generously lent us Tong Tik-sang memorabilia from its collection, and provided us with digital images for reproduction for which we are deeply indebted. We would also like to thank Miss Man Wah and Miss Ling Yan for their videos on Tong’s operas. Last but not least, our sincere thanks go to HKUST Media Technology Publishing Center for its technical support.

While you enjoy the exhibits, we invite you to join us in paying tribute to the great master of Cantonese opera for his invaluable contributions to developing and promoting this great art.