The osmanthus fragrance lingers, and the essence of the Yin style endures. 2024 marks the 105th anniversary of the birth of the esteemed Yin Guifang. The Chinese Amercian Arts Council (CAAC) and the New York Mengyue Yue Opera Troupe will jointly hold a public Yue Opera performance on August 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Flushing Town Hall. The event is titled "A Tribute to the Grandmaster Yin Guifang on Her 105th Birth Anniversary."

The art of the Yin school is renowned for its unique and graceful style, which has captivated audiences over time. Yin Guifang was not only an accomplished performer but also a person of great integrity. Her life motto, "Live with integrity, perform with dedication," reflects her commitment to truth, goodness, and beauty. This motto has guided generations of Fanghua artists in dedicating their lives to the development of Yue Opera.

In this performance, the audience will have the privilege of witnessing a masterful performance by Zhou Longchang, the overseas disciple of Yin Guifang and a true successor of the Yin school. Zhou Longchang will present classic excerpts from Yue Opera. Zhou Longchang has devoted his life to promoting traditional Chinese opera culture and preserving the art of Yue Opera. Since the founding of the Mei Hua Arts Association in 1975, he has served as the association's president and artistic director, making significant contributions to the innovation and expansion of Chinese opera abroad. Zhou Longchang is highly respected and has received multiple awards, including the Manhattan Borough President's Award and the National Arts Award.

The event also proudly invites the renowned Yue Opera artist Chen Qinxian, whose elegant performance is truly a delight to behold. Additionally, esteemed musicians from the Shanghai Yue Opera Troupe, including Wang Linsong, Zhao Gang, Wu Dinghong, Jiang Guoguang, and Zhao Shuren, will accompany the performance. Liu Hao will serve as the stage director, with Zhou Xueqin overseeing all subtitles.

Yin Guifang founded the Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe in 1946, creating countless classic Yue Opera productions such as Butterfly Lovers (Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai), Jade Dragonfly (Yu Qingting), and The Desert Prince (Shamo Wangzi). The veteran Yue Opera artist Xu Jincai, Yin Guifang's long-time partner, dedicated her life and artistic talent to these productions. Xu Jincai joined Fanghua in 1952 as Yin Guifang's leading partner, performing countless well-loved and widely acclaimed operas. They were the perfect pair on stage, admired for their artistry and deep sisterly bond off stage. Xu Jincai's daughter is now a performer with the New York Mengyue Yue Opera Troupe.

The New York Mengyue Yue Opera Troupe is comprised of devoted Yue Opera enthusiasts, with some Yue Opera sisters invited to join the performance as special guests. Under the leadership of troupe leader Mengyue, they diligently rehearse their beloved art every week. The performers hope to showcase their best in this public performance, delivering vibrant and classic opera scenes to the audience. They aim to share the cultural richness of Yue Opera with overseas audiences and contribute to the promotion and development of Yue Opera abroad.