Hung Sin-nui (1925–2013), born Kwong Kin-lim in Guangzhou, was a Cantonese opera and film actress who founded the 'Red' school and 'Red voice'. First taught by her aunt Ho Fu-lin and later joining her uncle Liang Siu-gai's troupe, she began as 'Little Swallow Red' before the veteran Liang Siu-fung gave her the name Hung Sin-nui. Fleeing the war, she joined Ma Si-tsang's Tai Ping troupe and, moving with it through Guangzhouwan, Guilin and Macau, became his wife and a principal dan actress, developing the celebrated 'female voice'. She began making films in 1947, and as a shareholder of the Zhonglian Film Enterprise took part in quality Cantonese pictures such as A Mother's Tears (1953), Yu Li Hun (1953) and Enduring Love (1955). Returning to Guangzhou with Ma in 1955, she led the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre and filmed many operatic movies. She kept performing and teaching in China, and in 2004 directed and produced the first Cantonese-opera animated film. She died in Guangzhou in December 2013.
Hung Sin-nui founded the 'Red' school and 'Red voice' of Cantonese opera, blending Peking and Kunqu techniques and Western singing into the form, and starred in over 90 films. Leading the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre, she trained successors and left a repertory, including the signature song 'Lychee'.
Achievements
- 1947 · Began making films, starring in Lian Si Mian and For You I Go Mad
- 1955 · Returned to Guangzhou with Ma Si-tsang to lead the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre
- 2004 · Directed and produced the first Cantonese-opera animated film and sang on its soundtrack