A Dazzling Opera
January 31, 2008
One of the greatest love stories in Chinese history played at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House on the weekend of Jan. 8. Dazzling the audience with its myriad of talents, the opera, Farewell, My Concubine, ended too soon, as anyone in the audience could have attested. It was a fascinating presentation of music, poetry, costume and staging artistry, technology and talent.
The beautiful opera (with English subtitles) was presented by the Chinese American Inter-Cultural Exchange Foundation and performed by the China National Opera House. This wonderful display of good will from China to the people of the United States will be extended to six cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York, Houston and Dallas, before returning to China. Producer and foundation chairwoman Emily Kuo-Vong said this production marks one of the rare times an original Chinese Opera was performed in the U.S. by a Chinese cast and sung in Mandarin.
Liu Xijin, president of the China National Opera House, said, “Opera is a reflection of our national strength … as well as the foundation of our individual cultures.”
Seen in the audience were opera-lovers Linda Lei, Dr. and Mrs. Rolland Lowe, Joyce Chan, Julie Soo, Jackie Yee, George and Annette Leung, Frank Jiang, and many, many others.
Crossing the Pacific halfway, San Francisco’s own haute couture designer Max Nugus opened a second boutique in the Kahala Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Bangkok-born Nugus is the son of a United Nations diplomat who grew up traveling the world with a background in diverse cultural designs. Known for dressing the gorgeous socialites of the San Francisco Bay Area, Max is now bringing his tasteful designs to the island resorts. As one of his first community involvements, Max is donating 10 percent of his early sales to the Hawai‘i Opera Theatre Ball. Vice President Doris Grover said Max will be opening a third boutique in Los Angeles. In the meantime, Max is about to introduce his new spring collection on Feb. 19 and 20, along with a fantastic reduction sale in S.F. Here’s to all the fashionable ladies from Pacific Heights to Piedmont, San Jose and Saratoga! Congratulations to Max Nugus!
Home for the holidays was diplomat and newlyweds Ryan Leong and his lovely bride, Erzebet Galfi, who were honored at a luscious luncheon at the Oakland Yacht Club hosted by his parents and family, Pamela Chun and Fred Joyce, Kevin and Cathy Leong. Groom’s mom, Pamela, is also embarking on writing her third novel. Good luck, Pam!
In time for the Lunar New Year, the Chinese Hospital Auxiliary and Nordstrom Stonestown Galleria will present their third annual New Year 2008 and Year of the Rat Fun Fashion Event, hosted by Beverly Lee, Elena Tinloy, Marleen Luke, Betty Louie, Wendy Lee, Carolyn Baulaier and Caroline Woo. Included in the $15 ticket will be a light brunch, fashion and prizes. The event is on Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Showing until April 13 in the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles are 60 watercolors by Jake Lee. In Search of Jake Lee is the first exhibition of this extraordinary artist whose work is now being recognized for its fine details and artistry depicting California landscapes and scenes of Chinatowns, particularly San Francisco Chinatown. “Jake Lee is among the most well-known and prolific watercolor artists of the 20th century, yet we found very little published about his personal life,” said Dr. Pauline Wong, executive director of the museum. “We had no problem locating his artworks and his influence. … It lives in collections throughout the state and in the hearts of his many students.”
Lee (1915-1991), who worked steadily as a commercial artist and teacher, produced many murals and paintings. The Southern California Auto Club members’ magazine commissioned cover paintings from Lee nine times from 1954 to 1978, and scenes from Chinese American history can be seen hanging at Kan’s Restaurant in San Francisco Chinatown.
The In Sunshine and Shadow: In Search of Jake Lee exhibition is hosted by the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles and co-produced with the Automobile Club of Southern California. A Northern California connection is his brother, George, and Mary Lee of the East Bay: George is a noted kung fu master who has designed many martial arts instruments and a former student of Bruce Lee who has authored a book on the martial arts star.
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