Lung Mui Cantonese Opera Collection

(Pinyin: long jian sheng mei xue shi yue ju bao dian )
龍劍笙 梅雪詩 粵劇寶典
Lung Kim Sang Mui Suet See Jyut Kek Bou Din

A 30-year Career Spanning Collection of
TV Cantonese Opera Performance Excerpts

(source: JV Entertainment Productions Limited CD + Karaoke DVD insert booklet)

Over the past year, I have enjoyed Cantonese Opera video & audio recordings by Lung Kim Sang 龍劍笙 and Mui Suet See 梅雪詩 very much.

Through searching and researching, I came across YouTube uploaded video clips of Lung Mui (龍.梅) television performance excerpts recorded throughout their 30-year career. Like many other enthusiastic supporters, I was always looking forward to seeing those footage collected into one collection to showcase the classic art of Cantonese Opera and fine performances by Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See.

Much to my surprise, the welcoming news came just before the 2011 Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) celebration as JV Entertainment Productions Limited announced the releasing of [龍劍笙 梅雪詩 粵劇寶典] Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See Cantonese Opera Collection (CD + Karaoke DVD) - a four volume set.

Containing in each volume of Lung Mui’s 30-year career spanning collection are informational insert booklet, CD soundtrack and its companion DVD recording of Cantonese Opera classic highlights - excerpts from Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) charity specials. Those have undergone digital image restoration for best picture quality (visually) and enhanced with new music mix to bring out the best in songs (audibly). Moreover, they are rare performances by Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See captured on film that simply cannot be missed.

* * *

REVIEWS/RECAPS & IMPRESSIONS:

	(source: JV Entertainment Productions Limited CD + Karaoke DVD back cover Vol. 1-2)

Vol.1 第一輯
Excerpt 1: Princess Changping ~ Fragrant Sacrifice [帝女花之香夭] Dai Nui Fa zi Hoeng Jiu
This is the most frequently played excerpt of the beloved Princess Changping Cantonese opera. It's a classic!

Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See played their part well. Their performance is enjoyable.

Produced for television in 1979, the set design was kept simple - a bit too green from the color of the banana leaves I might say.

Nevertheless, very happy with the high-quality digital video transfer which helps to highlight Cantonese opera's exquisite costumes and its unique style of makeup.


Excerpt 2: Dream of the Red Chamber ~ Heaven Illusion [紅樓夢之幻覺離恨天] Hung Lau Mung zi Waan Gaau Lei Han Tin
I was once afraid to watch excerpts from Dream of the Red Chamber because the story is so sad. But, the more I see them the more I have an understanding of the story, the characters within the story and the events that shaped those characters.

Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See's performance in this 1991 special is superb. They were at their prime in mastering of the art. The maturity in their vocal and acting brought out the best in this bitter sweet ending scene to a sad love story filled with raw emotion.

Watching this excerpt brings a sense of closing to Mui Suet See’s emotionally charged solo performance of Dream of the Red Chamber’s Burning Poetry Manuscripts, Returning to Heaven [紅樓夢之焚稿、歸天] Hung Lau Mung zi Fan Gou、Gwai Tin - benefiting the 1995 TVB "Tung Wah Charity Show" fund-raising program.

That excerpt showcased the event in which Lam Doi Juk 林黛玉 died on the day Gu Bou Juk 賈寶玉 was getting married. Whereas here, Gu Bou Juk 賈寶玉, who went to become a monk after he learned of Doi Juk’s death, meets Lam Doi Juk 林黛玉 in a dream in which it is revealed to him that she is a fairy in heaven.

Excerpt 3: Butterfly and the Red Pear Blossom ~ Pavilion Meeting [蝶影紅梨記之亭會] Dip Jeng Gung Lei Gei zi Ting Wui
When I first watched the 2004 ATV’s charity show version of the same excerpt (also performed by Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See) prior to this 1986 version, my initial impression was leaning more toward the 2004 performance. Probably because it was by Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See whose vocal and acting I was familiar with after watching them in Princess Changping (2006) and Dream of the West Chamber (2005) stage productions respectively.

However, I later found the earlier 1986 performance is equivalent interesting in their youthful exuberance yet commanding of the art in comparison to the crafted expression of inner emotions that deeply touched the core of the heart.

Keeping her promise, courtesan Je Sou Chau 謝素秋 (played by Mui Suet See) tries hard not to reveal her true identity to scholar Jiu Yu Jau 趙汝州 (played by Lung Kim Sang) when they meet face-to-face for the first time. At the meeting, Jiu Yu Jau unknowingly expresses his grieving to Je Sou Chau for Je Sou Chau whom he thought that she had died.

Excerpt 4: The Reunion brought by a White Hare ~ Mutual Encounter [白兔會之相遇] Baak Tou Wui zi Soeng Jyu
This short Cantonese opera performance excerpt is SUPER cute!!!

Running only 8 minutes and 10 seconds long, the performance is filled with pleasing sight to the eyes (as in acting, costumes and makeup) and sound to the ears (as in singing). It can be watched over and over again without getting bored.

That said, the excerpt is about the encounter between Lee Saam Noeng 李三娘 and Lau Zi Jyun 劉智遠 as they are both having mutual affection for each other. Lau Zi Jyun was a homeless orphan whom Lee Saam Noeng’s father brought back to the house for a place to stay and work as a servant. Because of the position that he is in, Lau Zi Jyun didn’t dare to make his feeling for Lee Saam Noeng known. Yet, Lee Saam Noeng is very much in love with him and she is trying to strike up a conversation.

Lung Kim Sang is very 'handsome' as Lau Zi Jyun and Mui Suet See is equally charming and mischievous as Lee Saam Noeng.

The wit and playful charm in their acting of the characters are simply adorable. That is not to mention their beautiful vocal expression in songs.

* * *

Vol.2 第二輯
The entire disc includes excerpts from Lei Hau Zyu [李後主], also known as The Last Emperor of Southern Tang.

Lei Hau Zyu (Lei Juk 李煜) is a real historical figure during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960). He is the ruler of the Southern Tang (Naam Tong 南唐) and a poet who interests in literature, but shows disinterested in ruling, which made him vulnerable to the ambitious Song Dynasty.

After the death of his first wife, Queen Daai Zau 大周后, King Lei missed her very much. On top of that, Southern Tang was facing oppression and threat from the powerful Song Dynasty. Those contributing events caused him great difficulty focusing on handling state affairs.

Yet amid all that, King Lei found comfort and support from Siu Zau 小周, whom he later made her his second wife, Queen Siu Zau 小周后.

Despite his effort in reviving the kingdom of the Southern Tang before the invading Song, King Lei eventually lost his kingdom to the Song.

Together with Queen Siu Zau, King Lei led a life in exile and captivity.
Excerpt 1: The Last Emperor of Southern Tang ~ Secret Meeting [李後主之私會] Lei Hau Zyu zi Si Wui
Worrying about the Southern Tang’s state affairs, King Lei retreats to his chamber and refuses visitation.

This excerpt tells about Siu Zau’s encouraging meeting with King Lei when she secretly comes to visit him at his chamber.

(Temporarily translated the initial dialogue between King Lei and Siu Zau after their meeting embrace...)
King Lei: Siu Ji, I do really miss you!Siu Zau: Your Highness, you missed me; yet, you didn’t want to see me as you have refused to receive my audition after many times I have asked for visitation.

In regard to the performance, Lung and Mui do look the parts as King Lei and Siu Zau respectively.

That was the first time I watched Lung Kim Sang takes on the role of a king. She fits right into character and looks so cool! As for Mui Suet See, her entrance as Siu Zau is lovingly beautiful, elegant and romantic. And that can be said the same for both in their acting of characters and singing of songs.
Excerpt 2: The Last Emperor of Southern Tang ~ Leaving a Nation to Live in Exile [李後主之去國歸降] Lei Hau Zyu zi Heoi Gwok Gwai Gong
King Lei and the Southern Tang are losing the battle against the Song.

To save the Southern Tang from further infliction of war, King Lei gives himself up in surrendering to the Song.

This excerpt tells about the departure of King Lei and Queen Siu Zau as the royal court officials and lady musicians saying their emotional farewell.

According to the opera’s segment ordering, this later excerpt is indeed following the former excerpt. Yet, it is a very interesting contrast in seeing those two segments of the same opera produced years apart, in reverse order; the former one was produced in the later years (1990) while the latter was produced 6 years earlier (1984).

In the former Secret Meeting, the maturity in Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See’s acting and singing shined through in their charming projection of the characters’ emotions.

In this latter Leaving a Nation to Live in Exile, Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See delivered a commanding performance with authority that is powerful and believable.

Also in this later excerpt, it is nice to see fellow Chor Fung Ming Cantonese Opera Troupe [雛鳳鳴劇團] actors and actresses sharing the stage. Notable actresses are Yam Bing Yi 任冰兒, Ying Suet Fan 言雪芬 and Chu Kim Dan 朱劍丹. It is truly a rare treat having a glimpse into Chor Fung Ming; especially, for those who were either too young or not yet born at the time when Chor Fung Ming started giving performance.

* * *

	(source: JV Entertainment Productions Limited CD + Karaoke DVD back cover Vol. 3-4)

Vol.3 第三輯
Having the same set up as disc 2 - Vol.2, disc 3 - Vol.3 includes excerpts from An Interrupted Dream in the Peony Pavilion [牡丹亭驚夢], also known as The Peony Pavilion.

It tells the story about two young people who meet and fall in love with each other in dreams.

Destined for one another, the couple eventually meet in real life three years after the interrupted dream...

Excerpt 1: An Interrupted Dream in the Peony Pavilion ~ Romantic Dream in the Garden [牡丹亭驚夢之遊園驚夢] Mau Daan Ting Ging Mung zi Yau Jyun
Dou Lai Noeng 杜麗娘 goes for a walk in the Spring garden with her maid. She fell asleep at the pavilion seating after enjoying the beauty of flowers. In a dream, she meets a young scholar whom she thought of as her ideal lover.

Upon waking up, Lai Noeng realizes that it was just a dream. Nevertheless, she becomes love sick and dies as a result. Before Lai Noeng died, she drew a self-portrait of herself.

Excerpt 2: An Interrupted Dream in the Peony Pavilion ~ Quiet Marriage [牡丹亭驚夢之幽媾] Mau Daan Ting Ging Mung zi Jau Gau
Three years later, Lau Mung Mui 柳夢梅, the real-life young scholar from Lai Noeng’s dream, happens to come across Lai Noeng’s self-portrait when taking up lodging at a temple.

Upon seeing the painting, Lau falls in love immediately with the young lady in the portrait. Lau quickly realizes that the young lady in the painting is indeed his dream lover that he once met in a dream.

That night, Lai Noeng’s ghost spirit appears to Lau. She lets Lau in the know about her situation and asks him to exhume her body from her grave in order to bring her back to life so they can reunite in marriage.

Needless to say, the chemistry between Lung and Mui is addictive. Their skill and talent in mastering the art of Cantonese opera yield an offering of mesmerizing performance.

This is, perhaps, my most favorite excerpt. It has a little bit of everything - comedy, romance and paranormal subject (i.e. ghost).

The excerpt reminds me of memorable scenes from 1977 The Legend of Purple Hairpin [紫釵記] Zi Gaa Gei, the scene in which Lee Yick 李益 and Fok Siu Yuk 霍小玉 reunited, and from The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom ~ Save Pui [再世紅梅記之脫阱救裴] Zoi Sai Gung Mui Gei Zi Tyut Zing Gau Pui.

Mui Suet See looks so beautiful in Lai Noeng's bridal gown costume. It’s always refreshing to watch Mui taking on role allowing her to show her versatile range of acting.

* * *

Vol.4 第四輯
Excerpt 1: The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom ~ Chance Encounter [再世紅梅記之折梅巧遇] Zoi Sai Gung Mui Gei zi Zit Mui Haau Jyu
On the occasion to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the death of Yam Kim Fai 任劍輝 and in supporting of Yam/Pak Charitable Foundation Limited, students of Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin’s Chor Fung Ming Opera Troupe put on a very special live performance of Cantonese Opera excerpts in a 2004 program named Zhong Pi Ni Chang Ge Bian Che [重披霓裳歌遍徹] Cung Pei Ngai Soeng Go Bin Cit (literal English translation: Raise the rainbow costume, Lift the song through time).

Among those are excerpts from The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom [再世紅梅記] Zoi Sai Gung Mui Gei, Chance Encounter 折梅巧遇 Zit Mui Haau Jyu and Save Pui 脫阱救裴 Tyut Zing Gau Pui.

While Mui Suet See played both role of Chiu Yung in Chance Encounter and Lee Wai Leung in Save Pui, Connie Chan Po Chu 陳寶珠 and Lung Kim Sang took turn in playing the role of Pui Jyu in Chance Encounter and Save Pui respectively.

Although Connie Chan competently takes on the role of Pui Jyu, I then still want to see Lung Kim Sang playing that role without knowing about the existence of such excerpt.

Produced for television in 1987, the excerpt tells the story that picks up from the scene when scholar Pui Jyu 裴禹 went to pick plum blossoms and coincidentally ran into Chiu Yung 昭容, whose look is in resemblance of Lee Wai Leung 李慧娘, whom he met and fell in love with.

Comparing to the more polished version produced for live stage performance in 2004, this excerpt seems aged in the area of visual and sound. Nevertheless, performance from Lung Mui is captivative as always.

One media technical related thing that I have noticed is that the video editing at the beginning of this excerpt is a bit jumpy; specifically, the segment right after Pui Jyu first saw Chiu Yung.

Excerpt 2: Fairy from the Ninth Heaven ~ Fairy's Return [九天玄女之天女于歸] Gau Tin Jyun Neoi zi Tin Neoi Jyu Gwai
I’m personally not very familiar with the story of this opera though I might have heard about similar versions of the same story before. However, that lack of knowledge does not necessarily affect my enjoyment of the excerpt as it is being presented. It is rather quite entertaining. And that the insertion of this excerpt is nice addition to showcasing the complete spectrum of Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See’s representative work in their contribution to TVB television charity programs throughout the years.

That said, the excerpt is about the reunion meeting between a poor scholar who is Wind Moon Immortal 風月仙子 fung jyut sin zi himself and his once fiancé on Earth, who also happens to be Fairy of the Nine Heaven 九天玄女 gau tin jyun neoi. They finally receive God’s blessing for their marriage in Heaven.

Excerpt 3: Flying Dragon Dancing Phoenix [遊龍戲鳳] Jau Lung Hei Fung
As with the previous excerpt, I also find this excerpt pleasantly surprised. In a way, it reminds me of the story line from Lung Mui’s 1975 Laugh in the Sleeve [三笑姻緣] Saam Siu Jan Jyun.

Lung Kim Sang plays the role of a king in disguise who meets and falls in love with a commoner.

What I like the most about this excerpt is being able to watch the fun and playful side of Lung Kim Sang and Mui Suet See in their portraying of the characters. Notice the way that they handle the use of hand props (paper fan and handkerchief), it's a treat for the eyes.

Moreover, it is mesmerizing to observe Mui Suet See’s walking technique, a Cantonese opera featured movement. Because we would often see Mui Suet See wearing 'dress-like' costume in playing the female role of a princess or a noble lady, it is difficult to fully observe in order to truly appreciate the skillful movement technique that is being applied. Here, it is illustrated well due to the 'commoner' costume she wore in playing the character of Fung Ze 鳳姐, the young lady owner of the Dragon Phoenix Inn 龍鳳店 lung fung dim, whom the king tries his best to win her heart.

Excerpt 4: The Handsome Pan'an ~ Shop Encounter [俏潘安之店遇] Ciu Pun On zi Dim Jyu
Wan Siu Pan 雲小顰 is a young lady whose nickname is called Ciu Pun On 俏潘安. While traveling, she dressed up as a man.

At an inn, she meets King Zyu 瓊珠, the inn young lady owner. Through King Zyu’s retelling of her personal story, Siu Pan learns about a well-known benefactor named Lei Gwong 李廣. Among Lei’s many good deeds was to help out the then homeless King Zyu and her father setting up the inn. Little Siu Pan knows at the time is that Lei Gwong is indeed her husband-to-be in an arranged marriage she has objected earlier.

As Siu Pan grows fond and admiring Lei Gwong, King Zyu, who thought of Siu Pan as a man, also finds 'Ciu Pun On' equivalent attractive...

This is the excerpt that I keep on smiling whenever I watch the performance or listen to its soundtrack.

Lung Kim Sang looks handsomely cool as Ciu Pun On. Her performance of doing the horsewhip 馬鞭 maa bin at the opening scene is one of the performance many highlights. It’s a rarity in seeing Lung Kim Sang’s delightful take on the female role through only momentarily as Siu Pan thinking fondly of Lei Gwong.

Equivalently, it’s a joy to watch Mui Suet See’s performance in the role of King Zyu, who falls head over heels for Ciu Pun On -- both literally and figuratively. Most memorable scenes are those when King Zyu keeps on looking with admiration at Ciu Pun On and that she bumps into the table while holding the serving tray with his order of food and drink. King Zyu then accidentally spills drink over the cup and onto Ciu Pun On while serving him the famous Neoi Ji Hung 女兒紅 wine. They are hilariously funny!

* * *

Credits and/or Citations:
The above written reviews/recaps incorporate the utilization of the online MDBG Chinese-English dictionary for Jyutping Cantonese/Pinyin romanization of Chinese characters.

It also references materials from "Synopses of Cantonese Opera" owned by the Cantonese Opera Research Programme (CORP), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Where to buy
Note: This is for information only. My Abido is not responsible for the content of external websites!

• YESASIA: Long Jian Sheng Mei Xue Shi Yue Ju Bao Dian (Vol.1) (CD + Karaoke DVD) [DVD Region All] http://www.yesasia.com/us/long-jian-sheng-mei-xue-shi-yue-ju-bao-dian-vol-1-cd-karaoke-dvd/1023966716-0-0-0-en/info.html


• YESASIA: Long Jian Sheng Mei Xue Shi Yue Ju Bao Dian (Vol.2) (CD + Karaoke DVD) [DVD Region All] http://www.yesasia.com/us/long-jian-sheng-mei-xue-shi-yue-ju-bao-dian-vol-2-cd-karaoke-dvd/1023966717-0-0-0-en/info.html


• YESASIA: Long Jian Sheng Mei Xue Shi Yue Ju Bao Dian (Vol.3) (CD + Karaoke DVD) [DVD Region All] http://www.yesasia.com/us/long-jian-sheng-mei-xue-shi-yue-ju-bao-dian-vol-3-cd-karaoke-dvd/1024035023-0-0-0-en/info.html


• YESASIA: Long Jian Sheng Mei Xue Shi Yue Ju Bao Dian (Vol.4) (CD + Karaoke DVD) [DVD Region All] http://www.yesasia.com/us/long-jian-sheng-mei-xue-shi-yue-ju-bao-dian-vol-4-cd-karaoke-dvd/1024035030-0-0-0-en/info.html