On June 18, over 110 guests gathered at Glow Cultural Center for the “Huangmei Elegance” press conference and premiere show, celebrating Huangmei Opera — a Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage art form that traces its roots to 18th-century tea-picking songs in Hubei province. Characterized by its melodious, lyrical singing, heartfelt storytelling, and relatively simple musical accompaniment compared to other Chinese opera styles like Peking Opera, Huangmei’s accessible tunes and evocative performances set the stage for an afternoon where timeless artistry met community spirit.

The premiere, hosted by Wen Xu, opened dramatically with Dr. Hsing-Lih Chou’s powerful courtroom scene from The Legend of Judge Bao (《包公传》). Audiences then embarked on a journey through iconic stories: Zaozao Wang and six dancers conjured ethereal beauty with the celestial dance Fairies Scattering Flowers (《天女散花》), an excerpt from the classic film adaptation The Kingdom and the Beauty (《江山美人》). Wing Ma and Teresa Chan followed with a poignant interpretation of China’s timeless love tragedy The Love Eterne (《梁山伯与祝英台》), while Tai Wang and William Wong harmonized in the folk ballad Mountain Song Betrothal (《山歌姻缘》). Amy Mak delivered a tour-de-force solo with The Deserted Path (《郊道》) from the opera Bloody Handprint (《血手印》), culminating in two duos performing the classic duet Returning Home Together (《夫妻双双把家还》) from the celestial romance Heavenly Match (《天仙配》)—a finale that left the audience spellbound.

Following the premiere, the stage transformed into a community celebration. Dozens of guests participated in an impromptu sing-along, highlighted by Cathleen Hwang’s traditional melodies and a remarkable performance from a New Jersey enthusiast who voiced three distinct characters to thunderous applause. Glow Cultural Center Board President Tai Wang reflected: “This premiere weaves tea-picking melodies into New York’s cultural tapestry – Huangmei Opera’s humanity transcends language.” The Director Yu Hwang added: “Our newly trained performers mastered intricate singing and movement in full regalia, reigniting this art for all.”

Glow Cultural Center extends gratitude to all performers, volunteers, community partners, and Artistic Director Huang Yu. We believe traditions and cultural heritage are essential for maintaining ties between generations and fostering a sense of identity and belonging in immigrant communities—promoting social harmony and strengthening family bonds through practices like storytelling, which pass on values and beliefs. This journey continues on November 29, 2025 at Flushing Town Hall with free training programs now open. For participation details, contact 718-359-1888.

For more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glownyc/albums/72177720327021584

Photo Credit: Kashing Lin