Yam Kim Fai
Encyclopedia
Yam Kim Fai also known as Ren Jianhui was a renowned Cantonese opera
actress in China
and Hong Kong
.
She was most notable for her unique ability to sing in the lower register. That her opera voice was indistinguishable from a male one allowed her to play either male or female roles, though she usually performed male ones.
when Hong Kong fell to the Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War
. She and a number of other Cantonese opera singers, including Bak Sheut Sin
, formed a new opera troupe called New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團).
in the Cantonese opera version of The Peony Pavilion
, Pei Yu (裴禹) in The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom, Li Yi (李益) in The Legend Of The Purple Hairpin and Zhou Shixian (周世顯) in Tai Nui Fa.
Her last public performance was in 1972, when she and Bak Sheut Sin sang the final scene from Tai Nui Fa together for the TVB telethon event that was hosted for the victims in the 18 June landslide. Yam retired afterwards and moved to Canada during the early 80s. In 1989, she died at her home in Hong Kong due to pleural effusion
.
One of her best students was Connie Chan Po-chu
, the other being Loong Kin Sang
(龍劍笙).
Cantonese opera
Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing,...
actress in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
She was most notable for her unique ability to sing in the lower register. That her opera voice was indistinguishable from a male one allowed her to play either male or female roles, though she usually performed male ones.
Early life
Born Yam Lee Chor (任麗初), Yam had been performing with a Cantonese opera troupe since she was young. When Yam was 14, her aunt (小叫天), another Cantonese opera actress, began Yam's formal training. Later, Yam furthered her musical studies with Wong Hap Lui (黃侶俠), who was known for being the female version of Ma Sze Tsang. In 1939, Yam joined an all-female opera troupe (群芳艷影), but she had to flee to MacauMacau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
when Hong Kong fell to the Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
. She and a number of other Cantonese opera singers, including Bak Sheut Sin
Bak Sheut Sin
Bak Sheut-sin , also known as Bai Xuexian, was a famous Chinese opera actress in China and Hong Kong.-Career:...
, formed a new opera troupe called New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團).
Career
Yam played the male lead in many Cantonese opera stage productions in Hong Kong, most often opposite Bak Sheut Sin. The two singers reprised many of those roles when the operas were adapted for the screen between 1951 and 1968. Some of Yam's major roles include Liu MengmeiLiu Mengmei
Liu Mengmei is the main fictionalized character within Tang Xianzu's play The Peony Pavilion, "Liu" meaning 'willow' and "Mengmei" 'dream of plum'. Mengmei was a descendant to the reputed poet Liu Zongyuan, Prefect of Liuzhou during the Tang Dynasty period, and would be born into a family branch...
in the Cantonese opera version of The Peony Pavilion
The Peony Pavilion
The Peony Pavilion is a play written by Tang Xianzu in the Ming Dynasty and first performed in 1598 at the Pavilion of Prince Teng. One of Tang's "Four Dreams", it has traditionally been performed as a Kunqu opera, but Chuan and Gan opera versions also exist...
, Pei Yu (裴禹) in The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom, Li Yi (李益) in The Legend Of The Purple Hairpin and Zhou Shixian (周世顯) in Tai Nui Fa.
Her last public performance was in 1972, when she and Bak Sheut Sin sang the final scene from Tai Nui Fa together for the TVB telethon event that was hosted for the victims in the 18 June landslide. Yam retired afterwards and moved to Canada during the early 80s. In 1989, she died at her home in Hong Kong due to pleural effusion
Pleural effusion
Pleural effusion is excess fluid that accumulates between the two pleural layers, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs. Excessive amounts of such fluid can impair breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs during ventilation.-Pathophysiology:...
.
One of her best students was Connie Chan Po-chu
Connie Chan Po-chu
Connie Chan Po-chu was born in 1946 to impoverished parents, one of at least nine siblings, in Guangdong, China. To increase their children's chances of survival, Chan's birth parents gave away some of their youngest to other families. As a result, Chan was adopted by Chan Fei-nung and his wife,...
, the other being Loong Kin Sang
Loong Kin Sang
Loong Kim Sang is a famous Cantonese opera performer, known as the legendary Yam Kim Fai's student & successor-Early life:Loong was born as Lee Pui Sang, she is ranked fourth in her family, and the day she was born coincidentally was the day that the Guanyin Goddess of Mercy's birthday...
(龍劍笙).