Theatre

Produced and directed by renowned Hong Kong opera director Lo King-man, with music by Lo Hau-man, lyrics by Chris Shum and scenario script by Mandu Cheung, The Legend of Zhang Baozai artistically presents Hong Kong’s history in the form of an opera through the life of Zhang Baozai from his youth through his twilight years. Invited by the HKSAR government to perform at Expo 2010 Shanghai China, the production was the only opera staged at the Expo. It was later staged in Hong Kong during the same year and achieved unprecedented success. Lo Hau-man and Chris Shum won the Best Serious Composition at the “2011 CASH Golden Sail Music Awards”.

The Legend of Zhang Baozai mainly depicts the story of Zhang Baozai before he surrendered to the Qing government. It was created based on the official documentation History of the Pirates Who Infested the China Sea from 1807 to 1810 and imagination of worldly affairs and human emotions. The opera does not place an emphasis on pirates and heroes, nor does it crown any glory on the Qing government. Instead, it returns to the basics and simulates the feelings and thoughts of Zhang Baozai as a person at a particular point of time. The story took place during the period when Hong Kong was transitioning from a laid back fishing village to a prosperous metropolitan. As such,The Legend of Zhang Baozai is not only a story about the legendary Zhang but also a narrative of the back stories of Hong Kong’s heritage and custom. The seven-scene opera with 100% original music and dance is packed with Chinese traditions passed down locally. These include the lantern festival of the 15th day of Chinese New Year, puppetry of Cantonese opera, Cheung Chau’s Bun Festival (Tai Ping Ching Chiu), fire dragon dance of Mid-Autumn Festival, etc. The opera is performed in Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles.