Mourners brave the rain to remember 'unique' opera star Hung Sin-nui
Over a thousand gather to remember grand dame of opera Hung Sin-nui
Heavyweights of the political and entertainment worlds from Hong Kong and Guangdong gathered in Guangzhou yesterday to pay tribute to Hung Sin-nui at a memorial service for the grand dame of Cantonese opera.
More than 1,000 dignitaries and members of the public braved the chilly rain on Monday morning to pay their respects to the legendary singer and actress, who died in Guangzhou on December 8 after a heart attack. She was 89.
President Xi Jinping , Premier Li Keqiang and the other five members of the Politburo Standing Committee led the list of those who had sent flowers and messages of condolence. Guangdong governor Zhu Xiaodan and Wan Qingliang , party secretary for Guangzhou, joined Hong Kong show-business heavyweights including Andy Lau Tak-wah and Lisa Wong Ming-chuen at the service in Guangzhou's Yinhe Yuan funeral home.
"Madam Nui nurtured many Cantonese opera actresses, especially on the mainland, and most of them sing in Hung tone," actress Wong said, referring to Hung's sweet, smooth and crisp style of singing. "I believe a large part of her legacy will be carried on but, of course, she is unique."
Video: A glimpse of Cantonese opera singer Hung Sin-nui's performance