Cantonese Opera is a popular type of performing art in Macao and the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province. It originated in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty and flourished in the late Qing Dynasty. The early 20th century can be viewed as the golden age of Cantonese Opera, when vocal techniques, performance and repertoires reached new heights, along with the emergence of famous Cantonese Opera maestros. During this period the influence of Cantonese Opera spread internationally.

Cantonese Opera was inscribed on the Tentative List of Macao SAR Intangible Cultural Heritage and the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006, as well as the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, testifying to its significant artistic value.

For this exhibition, Macao Museum has selected the most representative artifacts related to Cantonese Opera for display. Exhibition-goers can contemplate the beauty of traditional art through the enchanting nostalgia of Cantonese Opera, development of Macao Cantonese Opera, Opera Maestros’ life and skills and other features.