It has often been said that voice, appearance and stage craft are of equal importance to an opera singer. Of these qualities, the voice is considered most crucial, as appearance can be remedied by make-up and costumes, and the art of performance can be cultivated. If a singer is blessed with a good voice, future success is almost guaranteed.

There is never any doubt that Ng Kwan Lai has a good voice: her singing always has the mellow, melodic quality of the most perfect ji hou. Her own efforts contributed much to her success, while the tutelage of such musicians as Wan Chi Chung, Lam Shiu Lau and Lui Man Shing all left their mark: Ng’s singing brings together Wan’s elegance, Lam’s decisiveness and Lui’s melancholy, rising and falling with the emotions of the characters portrayed and moving the sensibilities of her audience.

Ng featured in many well known operas, but she made few recordings of her singing. However, Madam Lee Sam Neung and Presenting a Sword at Hundred-Flower Pavilion were made into films, and the soundtracks are still available. Ng also recorded Dream of the Golden Well in Red Chamber with Ho Fei Fan, which has fortunately survived to serve as a witness to her vocal performance and offer a rare treat for Cantonese Opera aficionados.