Since the early twentieth century, Hong Kong has always been an important venue for Cantonese opera development. After 1949, as a result of political turmoil in the Mainland, performers and troupes converged and resettled in the territory, leading to a tremendous prospering of Cantonese opera in the subsequent decade. This development is linked intimately with the rise of the electronic media.
Performers and troupes began to grasp the possibilities offered by film and radio to re-examine age-old performance practices with regard to acting, singing, script writing, instrumentation, and stage set-up. They brought in novel elements from the theatre and movie world, and participated in the production of films and records. With these acts, they are extending the movement to modernize Cantonese opera that began in the 1930s.
Wong Jum-sum was thoroughly immersed in the world of Cantonese opera from young. Through his close encounter with master performers like Hung Sin-nui, Ma Si-tsang, Yam Kim-fai, Pak Suet-sin and Tong Dik-sang, he witnessed first hand the modernization of Cantonese opera, and was mightily moved by the adventure and passion he saw.
Composer: Guy d'Hardelot
Lyricist: Edward Teschemacher
Vocalist: Perry Como
Because you come to me
With naught save love
And hold my hand and lift mine eyes above
A wider world of hope and joy I see
Because you come to me
Because you speak to me in accent sweet
I find the roses waking 'round my feet
And I am led through tears and joy to thee
Because you speak to me
Because God made thee mine
I'll cherish thee
Through light and darkness through all time to be
And pray His love may make our love divine
Because God made thee mine
