Preface

Dr. Lam Kar Sing, a preeminent figure in Cantonese opera in Hong Kong, was born in Hong Kong in 1933. After developing a fondness for Cantonese opera at a very young age, in 1949, he became an apprentice of Cantonese opera maestro Sit Kok Sin, who taught him all there was to learn of the “Sit School”. Inspired by Sit’s artistic achievements, Lam committed himself to a lifelong and tireless pursuit of excellence. He studied and improved the art form with indefatigable intensity and eventually established the “Lam School” on the principles of ‘breadth, virtuosity, depth and innovation’ of theatrical performance. During his career, Dr. Lam led two major Cantonese opera troupes, Hing Sun Sing and Chung Sun Sing, and created a major repertoire of classic operas that have remained extremely popular among lovers of Cantonese opera. At the same time, Dr. Lam was a mesmerising star on the silver screen, where he excelled in every role he played, whether modern or historical.

Dr. Lam retired from the stage in 1993 and subsequently founded Lam Kar Sing Foundation to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitate the perpetuation of the tradition and pursue artistic excellence. In addition to hosting talks and sharing his experience as a master performer, Dr. Lam offered personal guidance to up-and-coming actors as part of his efforts to pass on the tradition of Cantonese opera. Dr. Lam devoted most of his life to Cantonese opera, and he not only received numerous accolades from academia and the Cantonese opera community, but was also awarded three government honours in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in the art form and the immense contributions he made to carrying forward the tradition of Cantonese opera.

To commemorate the maestro, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has reorganised the exhibits and materials from the 2011 exhibition Virtuosity and Innovation – the Masterful Legacy of Lam Kar Sing into this new display dedicated to Dr. Lam. Through the librettos, handbills, photographs, costumes and props showcased in the exhibition, we revisit Dr. Lam’s spectacular performing career with the public and pay tribute to one of the city’s best loved Cantonese opera legends.

Screenings of eight Cantonese opera films starring Dr. Lam will also be held in the Theatre on the first floor of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum during the exhibition, so that visitors can once again savour his enchanting performance.

Dr. Lam passed away peacefully on 4 August 2015. Although his death is a profound loss for the Cantonese opera community, his voice, character and art will live on in the hearts of Cantonese opera lovers and continue to inspire future generations of performers, for whom his selfless devotion to the art form will always remain an example of the highest order.

Some of the photographs presented in the exhibition have been provided courtesy of Lam Kar Sing Foundation, Dr. Stephen Chow, Dr. Lam Kar Sing’s family as well as the Lam Kar Sing’s Fans Club, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to them for their generous contribution.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum