A Tradition Resumed 1852-1982

A 55-member Cantonese opera troupe from Canton performed to sell-out audiences in San Francisco on July 23-28, 1982 at the Warfield Theatre on Market Street. This restored a 130-year old tradition after a gap of over 40 years due to World War II, and the break in relations between the USA and the People's Republic of China.

The program included many old favorites. A delighted audience, some in three generation family groups, saw Cantonese Opera at its best: traditional, but at the same time introducing innovation in its way of singing, orchestral accompaniment, setting costumes and literary style. The troupe's North American tour took it to Vancouver Edmonton, Toronto in Canada and to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the USA.

Formed on July 30, 1983, the new San Francisco Chinese Opera Troupe, starring Leong Siu Sum and Mun Chin Soer, gave four well-attended performances in 1983.