Hong Xiannu, born as Kuang Jianlian, passed away on Dec 8 from acute myocardial infarction at the age of 89. Photos Provided to China Daily

The challenge is on to find a new flag bearer for Cantonese opera following the sad and sudden departure of the inimitable Hong Xiannu. Xu Jingxi reports in Guangzhou.

Braving cold rain, more than 3,000 people paid their respects to Hong Xiannu (1925-2013), a renowned Cantonese opera actress, at a farewell ceremony held in Guangzhou, provincial capital of Guangdong province, on Dec 17.

Hong Xiannu, born as Kuang Jianlian, passed away at 8:35 pm on Dec 8 from acute myocardial infarction at the age of 89. Party chief Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the other five members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee sent wreaths.

Zhu Xiaodan, governor of Guangdong province; Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Wan Qingliang, Party chief of Guangzhou; and mayor Chen Jianhua attended the funeral. Also present were Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, and famous Cantonese opera actresses Liza Wang and Tse Suet-sum.

At the ceremony, the mayor spoke highly of Hong's "lifelong efforts" of promoting Cantonese opera at home and abroad and passing on the art to younger generations.

Dressed in a traditional Chinese red gown with gold embroidery of images of a dragon and phoenix, Hong lay in peace in a glass coffin. Praise of Lychee, one of Hong's classics, was played in the funeral hall, arousing memories of her silvery voice and onstage elegance.

Wearing the same gown, she sang the same song at the gala evening of a grand gathering of Cantonese-speaking Chinese around the globe in Guangzhou on Nov 13, less than a month before her heart attack.

On one hand, it shows Hong's love for Cantonese opera and her devotion to the art's development. On the other, it reflects the worrying situation that no one measures up to Hong as Cantonese opera's flag bearer.

To commend her contributions to Chinese culture and art, the city government of Guangzhou funded the Hong Xiannu Arts Center in 1998 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her career.

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Life and times of Hong Xiannu