Chinese opera is recognised as a valuable part of Chinese culture, requiring the most profound refinement of skills in singing, acting, characterisation, movement, choreography and acrobatics.
Established in September 2013, the School of Chinese Opera offers the world’s first accredited Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Chinese Opera.
At present, the School offers three programmes accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, all of which comprise two majors, namely Cantonese Opera Performance and Cantonese Opera Music:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Chinese Opera (Four-year programme) Provides professional and comprehensive training in Chinese opera
Diploma in Cantonese Opera Foundations (One-year programme) Provides foundational training in basic theories and practice in Cantonese opera art form and enhances academic profile for articulation into undergraduate degree study
Professional Diploma in Cantonese Opera (Two-year programme) Provides professional training and upskilling for senior secondary school graduates with prior practical experience in Cantonese opera and current practitioners
The School of Chinese Opera aspires to provide students with professional and comprehensive training in Cantonese opera performance and music through a forward-looking, stimulating, highly integrated and innovative curriculum.
The School provides professional and comprehensive training in Cantonese opera performance and music to form a solid foundation in Chinese opera performance with Major Studies, as well as broaden students’ understanding of Chinese culture and their artistic horizons with Contextual Studies.
Major studies
Cantonese Opera Performance
Foundation Work (Acrobatic Skills)
Stage Movement and Performance Technique
Repertoire
Foundation Work & Weapon Skills
Cantonese Operatic Singing (Individual)
Practical Performance
Cantonese Opera Music
Major Instrument
Basic Percussion
Music Ensembleship
Major Percussion
Introduction to Suona
Percussion
Ensembleship
Contextual studies
Chinese Opera and Culture
Music Theory of Cantonese Opera
History of Chinese Opera
Cantonese Operatic Music Composition
Makeup and Costume
Cantonese Operatic Percussion Composition
Using Technology
The School is developing a Spatial Outcomes-Based Assessment System (SOBA) to enhance students’ experience of Cantonese opera by using multi-dimensional digital technology. SOBA adopts technology such as motion capture, virtual reality, augmented reality to assist pedagogical delivery.
Chinese Opera Productions
The School presents Gongs and Drums every semester, during which all students have the opportunity to perform selected excerpts of Cantonese opera. The performance venue is equipped with a professional stage, orchestra pit, lighting and sound equipment, creating a platform to showcase students’ learning outcomes to the public and the industry.
Internship Opportunities
The School offers industry-related internship opportunities, allowing students to engage in stage performance, music playing, and event support. Internship opportunities are available at public institutions, including the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon Cultural District, and RTHK Radio 5, as well as various Cantonese opera troupes and Cantonese operatic singing associations.
Visiting Artists
Every year, the School invites experienced Cantonese opera artists as visiting artists to practise selected repertoires with our students or launch Chinese opera workshops. Students can enjoy the opportunities to learn from masters of different genres of Chinese opera and better adapt to the performing and operational styles of the industry.
Arts and Cultural Exchange
The School strives to provide outbound arts and cultural exchange experiences for students to broaden their views. In 2024, the School organised the Chinese opera arts and cultural exchange tour at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in Hangzhou. In 2025, the China National Arts Fund supported the School to tour its original work, Pearl Bay, in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
The School co-organised international performances and study tours with overseas institutions. Our students performed ‘Quarrel on the Court’, an excerpt of The Villain, the General and the Heroic Beauty, at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the New York Chinese Community Centre.
(by surname in alphabetical order)
Cheng Nga-ki Actress. Founded Nan Art Workshop. She performed in famous Cantonese opera such as The Purple Hairpin, as well as Praying to the Moon and the new Cantonese opera Love in the Bamboo Grove in the 41st and 51st Hong Kong Arts Festival respectively.
Susanna Cheng Wing-mui Actress. Founded Good Harvest Cantonese Opera Troupe. Her renowned performances include Mermaid Legend and Legend of the White Snake. She was the producer and the lead of Realm of Trance: Tian Hacks the Coffin of Xiqu Centre 5th Anniversary Celebrations.
Lam Tin-yau Actor. Founded Nan Art Workshop. Established Chung Sin Sing Cantonese Opera Troupe and produced new Cantonese operas such as The Women’s Kingdom. He also performed in Wu Song the Tiger Killer and The Guilded Fan at the 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Lee Tik-lun Musician. Joined the Xiqu Centre Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, West Kowloon Cultural District as the Ensemble Leader. His performances include “Teahouse Theatre Experience” and “Experimental Cantonese Opera: Farewell My Concubine.”
Lin Yingshi Actress. Founded Alis Art Centre and her tea brand “Shicha.” Further studied at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts. She played the lead role in the Cantonese opera performances at the Hong Kong Arts Festival for three years and performed in various multimedia performances.
Song Hongbo Actor. Joined Prosperity Cantonese Opera Production Studio. He performed in Sacrificing the Son in the 7th Chinese Opera Festival, Emperor Wu of Han and his Jester Strategist and Farewell my Concubine in the 45th and the 46th Hong Kong Arts Festival respectively.
Karen Wang Kit-ching Actress. Founded Karen’s Meadow Cantonese Opera Studio. She produced and played the lead role in Diaochan, The Love Story of the Silk Road and Our Joyful Old 60’s. Received the Award for Young Artist (Xiqu) in the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2011.
Janet Wong Actress. Founded Cantonese Opera Theatre. Received the Award for Young Artist (Xiqu) in Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2014. She played the lead role in “Experimental Cantonese Opera: Wenguang Explores the Valley” at Xiqu Centre.
Our performance graduates have gone on to develop their careers in Chinese opera by forming their own Chinese opera troupes or participating in the industry. Music graduates can also work in the troupes as music directors or music accompanists. Furthermore, our graduates also teach Chinese opera in schools or the community or contribute themselves to art administration and marketing, for example, in the Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Degree in Chinese Opera
Major Study > Cantonese Opera Performance > Cantonese Opera Music
Diploma in Cantonese Opera Foundations
(Feeder Programme to Undergraduate Programme) Major Study > Performance > Music
