Devoted fans and supporters of Chinese Opera, Ming and Sallie Wong meticulously kept their programs and photos from the Guangdong Yue Opera’s 1982 North American Tour, presented by the Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco. Their scrapbook records detailed information about the performances, and provides a record of the tour, vividly illustrated by autographed photos of the troupe of artists who traveled from China to perform for appreciated audiences in the United States.
Click on the archive.org links to view and download.
1982 Guangdong Yue Opera Program – The program features signatures gathered from performers in the Guangdong Opera Troupe (first established in early 1953 by Bai Juriog) led by well-known performing artists Hong Xiannu and Chen Xiaofeng.
1982 Chinese Culture Foundation Guangdong Yue Opera Program – The black and white program with advertisements for local sponsors of the performances, also includes an essay, “What’s Chinese Opera?,” providing information about Plots, Stage Properties, Main Roles, Make-up, and Illustrative “Conventions.”
Printed programs, in English and Chinese, for each of the six operas performed on the 1982 tour, with production credits, cast list and synopsis.
Program for Friday, July 23, 1982, Curtain Time: 7:30pm – The Kite Encounter or Search In the School (1982)
Program for Friday, July 24, 1982, Curtain Time: 7:30pm-
Li Huiniang (1982)
Program for Sunday, July 25, 1982, Curtain Time: 2:00pm – Love Conquers All or The Beauty and the General (1982)
Program for Monday, July 26, 1982, Curtain Time: 7:30pm – The Betrayal or Burning Incense (1982)
Program for Tuesday, July 27, 1982, Curtain Time: 7:30pm – The Magic Lotus Lantern (1982)
Program for Wednesday, July 28, 1982, Curtain Time: 7:30pm – The Reunion By The River (1982)
A passing mention of this historic cultural exchange tour appears in the “About The Warfield Theatre” page on their website.
In keeping with it’s illustrious past, “everyone” has played The Warfield. The entertainment in the 1980’s ranged from bands such as The Clash, Grateful Dead and U2, to theatrical productions such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Cantonese Opera from China.