Ho-Kau Chan

Ho-Kau Chan (Chinese: 陳好逑; 1932 – 23 July 2021[3][4]) was a Hong Kong actress and Cantonese opera singer. She was credited with over 130 films.

Ho-Kau Chan
Chinese: 陳好逑
Born1932 (1932)
Hong Kong
Died23 July 2021(2021-07-23) (aged 88–89)
 Hong Kong
Other namesChan Hao-Gau, Chan Ho-Kau, Chan Hiu-Kau, Chen Ho-Kaw
OccupationCantonese opera singer
film actress
Years activeSince before 1940
Parent(s)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese陳好逑
Simplified Chinese陈好逑
Musical career
GenresCantonese opera
Peking opera
InstrumentsVoice
Associated actsHing Sun Sing Opera Troupe (Chinese: 慶新聲; Jyutping: hing3san1sing1)


Chung San Sing Opera Troupe (Chinese: 頌新聲; Jyutping: zung6san1sing1)


Ho Siu Lin Opera Troupe (Chinese: 好兆年; Jyutping: hou2siu6nin4) since 1997

Early life

In 1932, Chan was born in Hong Kong. Chan’s ancestral hometown is Panyu district, Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Her given name at birth has a well-known meaning[5] and therefore special pronunciation (Chinese: 好逑; Jyutping: hou3 kau4)[6] among scholars.

Chan's father, Chan Kai-hung, founded the Kwok Sing Theatre where she was a student first under Pak Kit-Cho (born Ha Park-Cheung ;Chinese: 夏伯祥; Jyutping: haa6baak3coeng4) among a group of tutors while in grade school until[7] the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941.

After the war, she continued training under Tang[8] Chiu Lan-Fong (Langfong Cantonese Opera School) while in high school and then mostly under [8] Ju-Hua Fen (aka Fan Guk-Fa) in Chiu Ciu Academy (see John Lone) for over a decade since 1955.[7]

Career

Chan started her Cantonese opera singing career by working her way to the top from humble beginnings, notwithstanding her father's connections. Her choice was well-received by veterans including Sit Kok-sin who was touring Vietnam in September 1951 with leading actress Cheung (Chinese: 張舞柳; Jyutping: zoeng1mou5lau5).

She spent months and years in Singapore and Vietnam before earning job offers in Hong Kong to join well-known or established troupes.[7] Starting in 1953, she worked with Chan Kam-tong, a student of Sit, before returning to Vietnam for the last trip that ended in August 1955. Settling down back in Hong Kong, she was hired as the second female lead to work with Lai-Zhen Yu by Ching Wa-Hang[9](Chinese: 靚華亨; Jyutping: zing6waa4hang1), the female Guan Yu.

Chan became notable and joined the Hing Sun Sing Opera Troupe (慶新聲粵劇團) in 1962 as a Hua Dan or lead female Cantonese opera singer. She then joined the Chung San Sing Cantonese Opera Troupe (頌新聲粵劇團) in 1965 until the male lead retired. Chan is known for her role as a married woman or woman warrior opposite this particular co-lead generally.

As an agile, experienced matriarch during the North America tour in 1967, Chan managed to pickup where this male lead left off. The mixed crew, of both local backgrounds and from Hong Kong like Chan, continued to work for months while waiting for Yam Kim Fai and Bak Sheut Sin to arrive in 1968. To tie over, she worked with a younger Hong Kong performer who was originally scheduled to be the next male lead but arrived without his co-lead, having herself invited another male lead from Hong Kong to join her.

Chan is otherwise also known for Huashan (lively girl) roles such as Hongniang, Tam Kee-yee and Pan Jinlian on stage opposite generations of various co-leads since 1960. She had similar roles also in 1962 film Battle at Sizhou, for example, as Clam spirit.[8]

In 1953, Chan crossed over as an actress in Hong Kong films. Chan first appeared in A Battle in An Old City, a 1953 film directed by Chang Mung-Wan. Chan appeared in many Cantonese opera films including as Madam Wong in The Precious Lotus Lamp (1956-1958, three episodes), Love and Hate (aka The Feud) (1956), The Naughty Princess and Her Lover (aka Between You and Me) (1957), and The Fox-Spirit's Romance (aka The Strange Fox) (1957). Chan's last film was Secret Agent No. 1, a 1970 Crime film directed by Walter Tso. In 1961 film Three Battles to Secure Peace for Nation, Chan established her woman warrior status opposite future fellow co-lead on stage for the next thirty plus years. Chan was credited with over 130 films.[1][2][10]

Repertoire

This is a partial list since 1962. The show must go on for weeks or months in those years she spent overseas.

  1. The Battling Sounds (1963 film version)
  2. The Pitiless Sword (1964 film version), (aka Paragons and Heroism)
  3. Uproar in Jade Hall
  4. A Chronicle Written in Blood
  5. Who Should Be the Commander-in-Chief?
  6. Romance and Hatred (second debut in 1984, 18 years since first debut)
  7. Time To Go Home
  8. Enlightenment of Goddess of Mercy (aka From Miaoshan to Guanyin) (Chinese: 《觀音得道》)[3][11]
  9. Mirror of the Universe[1]
  10. The Marriage of the Top Scholar
  11. The Predicament of Zhu Bian's Homecoming (see Discography++)
  12. Xi Shi[12]
  13. Zhou Yu (as Xiao Qiao) debuted in August 1987, duet included.
  14. Fan Lihua Executing Own Son at the Gate (Chinese: 《梨花罪⼦》)[13]
  15. Lu Meng-zheng - A Poor Scholar[14][15]
  16. The Riverside Pavilion (as Tam Kee-yee), (see Guan Hanqing)
  17. The Return of Lady Wenji (as Lady Wenji), (see Cai Yan)
  18. Interrogating the Red Maid in Romance of the West Chamber (as Hongniang, the matchmaker)
  19. Sizhou City (Peking opera)[8]
  20. Yin Yang River (Peking opera)[8]
  21. Wang Bao Chuan[16]
  22. The Dream Encounter Between Emperor Wu of Han and Lady Wa

Filmography

Films

This is a partial list of films.

  • 1953 A Battle in An Old City
  • 1956 The Precious Lotus Lamp - Madam Wong (wife of the male lead character)
  • 1956 Love and Hate (aka The Feud) [17]
  • 1957 The Naughty Princess and Her Lover (aka Between You and Me)
  • 1957 The Precious Lotus Lamp (The Sequel) - Madam Wong
  • 1957 The Fox-Spirit's Romance (aka The Strange Fox) [18]
  • 1958 The Precious Lotus Lamp (Part 3, Concluding Episode) - Madam Wong
  • 1958 A Buddhist Recluse for 14 Years (as Lu Qiao Chinese: 綠翹)
  • 1958 The Tragic Story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai (aka Butterfly Lovers, as the maid Rén Xīn Chinese: 人心)
  • 1959 Tragedy of the Emperor's Daughter (aka Di Nü Hua)
  • 1959 Fan of Fragrant Wood (as maid, the matchmaker)
  • 1960 Ten Schoolgirls (vocal & as always "food in the mouth and sleep" girl)
  • 1961 Three Battles to Secure Peace for Nation
  • 1961 Female General Mrs. Yang
  • 1961 Secret Book (Part 1, Part 2) (aka The Magic Crane) - Lee Ching Luen [19]
  • 1962 Secret Book (Part 3, Concluding Episode)
  • 1962 Knight of the Victory Marked Flag (aka Banners of Victory)
  • 1962 Battle at Sizhou (as Clam Spirit opposite Fan Guk-Fa, her master)[8]
  • 1962 The Royal Wedding in the Palace (as Ying Ying, the head Lady-in-waiting)[20]
  • 1963 The Battling Sounds
  • 1963 The Iron Wild Goose (Part 1)[21]
  • 1963 The Iron Wild Goose (Part 2)[22]
  • 1963-64 The Golden Hairpin (Part 1-4), aka Jade Hairpin Oath by Wolong Sheng (credited as gam1 tung4)
  • 1964 The Pitiless Sword
  • 1965 Moslem Sacred Fire Decree (Part 1, Part 2 Concluding Episode)
  • 1965 Sword of Swords, the sequel
  • 1965 Story of the Sword and the Sabre (Part 3, Part 4)
  • 1966 Night of the Opera Stars (aka Goddess of Mercy Celebrates Her Birthday at Xiang Shan) – Documentary [11]
  • 1969 The Virgin Sword - Yip Sheung-ching.[23][24]
  • 1970 Three Desperados (aka The Desperados, Three Desperadoes) [25][26]
  • 1970 Secret Agent No. 1 [27]

Theater Performance
  • 1949, Myrica Branch Troupe (Chinese: 「一枝梅粵劇團」)[7]
  • 1949, Wah Tak Leisure Amusement (Chinese: 「華德業餘游樂社」)
  • 1984, Chinese Opera Fortnight
- Time To Go Home
- The Sounds of Battle (aka The Battling Sounds, 1963 film version)
- Romance and Hatred
- Merciless Sword Under Merciful Heaven (aka The Pitiless Sword, 1964 film version)
  • 1993 A Heartbreaking Reunion [28] (aka Butterfly Lovers)
  • 2002 Hong Kong Arts Festival presented a series in her honour, entitled 'The Virtuosity of Chan Ho-kau'[29]
- The Return of Lady Wenji
- Love in a Time of Bloodshed
- The Predicament of Zhu Bian's Homecoming
- Of Love and Enmity
- Conspiracy behind the Marriage of Princess Yin Ping[30]
  • 2004[31] The Villain, The General and the Heroic Beauty on 1 December 2004 in a series named Showcase of masterpieces by master playwrights of the yearly event Bravo! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!
  • 2011-2017 mainly in Sunbeam Theatre, Guanyin and Pan Jinlian (by playwright Li Kui-ming)
  • 2016 Sacrificing the Son[32]
  • 2017 Excerpt, Pan Jinlian Seducing Her Brother-in-law (Chinese: 《金蓮戲叔》)[33]
  • 2018 The Return of Lady Wenji [34]

Discography

++「公主 我朱弁恨難當面拜辭。」(Zhu Bian responded) is a line unique in this 1992 release for fundraising with Xiaofeng Chen. (This version of Farewell to Zhu Bian is however one of a few released in various formats opposite various singers over the course of about six decades since Xiaofeng Chen included the story in his repertoire. Some versions have titles, lyrics and melodies very similar to this one. There is no published lyrics about 1992 version for unknown reason.)

The second song is one of a few about the same ("Tale of the Pipa" or "The Story of the Lute") story.

Awards
  • 2006 Honorary Fellow. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.[1]
  • 2008 MH for her achievements in Cantonese Opera.

Eulogy

A short eulogy referred to Madam Wong, a character Chan portrayed in 2016, six decades since making those three films very early in her career. In Sacrificing the Son, a Cantonese Opera performance, Chinese Opera Festival 2016, Chan as Madam Wong demonstrated the traditional value instituted into a maiden in a rich and influential family ( Chinese: 大家閨秀 ) even while seeing, beaten to death, the son she gave birth to and keeping safe the other son of her husband.[32] The journalist found these same quality in Chan.

References
  1. "Honorary Fellow - Chan Ho-Kau". hkapa.edu. 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. "Chan Ho Kau - CCCH9051 Group 35". hku.hk. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  3. Obituary(in Chinese)
  4. 粵劇花旦陳好逑離世 (in Chinese)
  5. The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady: For our prince a good mate she.
  6. hou3 zau2
  7. Google Book Search keyword 「在九龍深水埗基隆街的二三三號三樓創辦了一間國聲戲劇社,..如鄧肖蘭芳、夏伯祥、... 當時的陳好逑是在協智唸書,她課餘之暇,常常到國聲劇社去。」
  8. In "The Capture of the Evil Demons", Chan's all-action persona finds full expression in her role as Clam Spirit, showcasing her talent for spin-ups, ribbon dancing and banner-waving. (aka Battle at Sizhou)
  9. Leng Wah Hang (as Ng Hei) in How Ng Hei Slew His Wife to Prove His Allegiance (1955)
  10. "Chan Ho-Kau". hkmdb.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  11. "Film Screenings – Goddess of Mercy Celebrates Her birthday at Heung Fa Shan". filmarchive.gov.hk. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  12. 30-31 October 2009 Gala concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
  13. 1999 Hong Kong Art Festival, Cantonese Opera-An All-Star Night, Lei-fa Reprimanding her son (title per list of "Past Hong Kong Arts Festival Cantonese Opera Programmes" in Cantonese Opera Treasures published for 2010 event)
  14. Renowned actress Chan Ho-kau is a leading contemporary expert in interpreting the operatic role of 'Ching-yi'. She has been absent from the stage for a long time. 02 March 1999 Fantastic Cantonese Opera "Lu Meng-zheng -- A Poor Scholar"
  15. HK Arts Festival Past Programmes-1998
  16. As Chun Fa (Credit - Ho Kau Chan) Wang Bao Chuan at IMDb
  17. "Love and hate (1956)". senscritique.com. 1956. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  18. "The Fox-Spirit's Romance". hkmdb.com. 18 April 1957. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  19. "The Secret Book". lcsd.gov.hk. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  20. Mrs. Au-yeung Thanked Fund-raising Effort, Page 13, Wah Kiu Yat Po, 6 January 1963 (aka 1962 Chun man dì huang Jia at IMDb)
  21. The Iron Wild Goose (Part 1), Hong Kong Cinemagic, detail plot
  22. The Iron Wild Goose (Part 2), Hong Kong Cinemagic, detail plot
  23. "The Virgin Sword". dianying.com. 1969. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  24. "The Virgin Sword". hkmdb.com. 22 August 1969. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  25. "Three Desperados (1970)". senscritique.com. 1970. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  26. "Three Desperados". hkmdb.com. 26 February 1970. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  27. "Secret Agent No. 1 (1970)". senscritique.com. 1970. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  28. "Virtuosity and Innovation - The Masterful Legacy of Lam Kar Sing". heritagemuseum.gov.hk. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  29. HK Arts Festival Past Programmes-2002
  30. 「文武雙全陳好逑」觀後評 (in Chinese) Review 2002 March 26 ..「在今⽇經濟低迷的情況下，五場演出不僅⼀早賣個滿堂紅，某幾場因觀眾購不到票⽽⿎噪，連企位也爆滿，再⼀次證明粵劇不乏觀眾。....五齣戲都值九⼗九分，錯過了其中任何⼀齣都是觀眾的損失。」
  31. 二○○四年十月十九日（星期二）「全城大戲候」十一月展開　粵劇日免費招待戲迷（只發中文稿） (in Chinese) The 2004 Cantonese Opera Day plus Bravo! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!
  32. Eulogy (in Chinese)「藝術旦后」陳好逑 悄悄的來 悄悄的去 澳門日報 2021年07月29日
  33. As Pan Jinlian in May 2017
  34. "Chinese Opera Festival 2018: Cantonese Opera The Return of Lady Wenji". lcsd.gov.hk. 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
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