More than 3,000 people attend the farewell ceremony. Mo Weinong / for China Daily

An enduring inspiration

Hong discovered Ou's potential as a Cantonese opera star after watching Guangxi TV Station's broadcast of the mid-autumn festival gala. She went to Guangxi in person for Ou's job transfer.

"I was surprised that Hong Xiannu, such a notable, respected character, would come for me as a young, unknown actor at that time. I'm grateful that Hong Xiannu took me to a bigger stage," says Ou, who later became the country's top Cantonese actor for both musical and kung fu plays and the director of Guangzhou Red Bean Cantonese Opera Troupe.

"I will inherit my teacher's spirit of always endeavoring to do better and holding art and the stage in awe and veneration," Ou says.

Hong required Ou to read through the Turbulent Stream trilogy by Chinese writer Ba Jin (1904-2005) as she did when they were producing an opera based on the first book of the trilogy, The Family.

"I've learned from Hong Xiannu that acting is much more than memorizing the script. It requires in-depth knowledge about the author, the characters and the story's social background," Ou says.

She also set a good example for Cantonese opera artists to keep updated on the latest social changes by reading eight to 10 newspapers every day, he adds.

In Ou's eyes, Hong was both a strict teacher and a loving mother. When Ou was busy staging shows at home and abroad, Hong took care of his son, treating him as her own grandson. The good friends - despite the great difference in age - dined together the day before Hong's sudden departure.

Related:

Life and times of Hong Xiannu