Reviving Classical Literati Traditions and Showcasing Multicultural Brilliance: The 11th Age of Literati Cultural Festival Concludes Triumphantly with the "Dramatic Arts" Concert

[MARKHAM, ON] On November 1, 2026, the 11th Age of Literati Cultural Festival, hosted by Canada One Family Network, concluded triumphantly at the Flato Markham Theatre. As the grand finale of this year's festival, the "Dramatic Arts" Concert seamlessly blended classical traditions with contemporary expressions, bringing together traditional Chinese opera and elegant ritual music. Through a wide array of artistic disciplines, the event delivered a world-class visual and auditory feast to audiences across Ontario, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of art lovers and local community residents.

This spectacular production was made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of Celebrate Markham, York Region, and Heritage Canada, to whom the organizers extend their deepest gratitude.

Opening with Unity: A Patriotic Tribute to Multiculturalism The evening commenced with a powerful rendition of the Canadian National Anthem. Collaboratively presented by the Goldencarnival Seniors Association and the Golden Eagle Art Association, the Senior Choir sang with profound passion and energy. Backed by the vibrant accompaniment of a diverse electroacoustic wind band, the performance beautifully captured Canada’s inclusive spirit and multicultural harmony.

Silk and Bamboo: Captivating Melodies by FOMO Chinese Music Ensemble As a cornerstone of the concert, the FOMO Chinese Music Ensemble delivered a rich, dynamic repertoire that showcased the profound depth of classical music alongside the innovation of modern interpretation:

• Sheng Introduction + Short Solo: Presented by Mike Liu (Zhuochong Liu), this segment offered an insightful look into the ancient instrument, paired with an exquisite solo performance.

• Yangzhou Tune: A delicate and moving Erhu solo performed by Sophy Li (Shuang Li), beautifully supported by the ensemble's seamless harmony.

• Lan Yu Chong Shu: Performed by Mike Liu (Zhuochong Liu), whose exceptional mastery and humorous expressions elevated the Sheng solo to a brand-new artistic level.

• Dunhuang New Sounds, Fishing Song, and Eastern Hunt: A series of grand ensemble pieces with distinct musical textures that completely enthralled the audience.

Chants and Melodies: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation The elegant pairing of the Guqin and classical poetry illuminated the continuous heritage of literati arts:

• Tang Dynasty Melodies: A majestic Guzheng ensemble presented by the Yuan Yin Group, capturing the grand musical essence of the Tang Dynasty's golden age.

• Fa Mu & Jiu Kuang: Four young actors from the Dan Drama Chinese Theatre delivered an expressive recitation of classical verses from the Classic of Poetry, beautifully underscored by the serene Guqin accompaniment from the Yuan Yin Group, perfectly aligning with the theme of the festival's Youth Poetry Recitation Competition. Following the recitation, four young musicians from the Yuan Yin Group took the stage to perform the classical Guqin piece Jiu Kuang (The Wine-Mad), earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

Operatic Heritage: Masters of the Four Iconic Operas Share the Stage Renowned local opera practitioners and ensembles gathered to perform iconic excerpts from four celebrated Chinese opera traditions:

• The Butterfly Lovers: Eighteenth Farewell: Eight performers from the Toronto Yue Opera Troupe took the stage. Representing distinct vocal styles, their blend of powerful delivery and gentle, melodic regional dialects vividly recreated the classic, bittersweet parting of Liang and Zhu.

• Princess Cheung Ping (Di Nv Hua): Backed by the full instrumentation of the FOMO Chinese Music Ensemble, vocalists Steven Sum and Peon Ho sang with exceptional emotion, reviving a timeless and beloved Cantonese Opera masterpiece.

• The Peony Pavilion: Wander in the Garden, Wake from a Dream: Brought to life by the Toronto Yale Arts Centre, Kunqu Opera performer Yanyan Zhu enchanted the audience with her delicate, nuanced vocals and fluid movements, effortlessly drawing listeners into the vivid, poetic landscape of a classical Chinese garden.

• The Drunken Concubine: A captivating Peking Opera presentation by the Longsheng Peking Opera Troupe. Led by acclaimed Peking Opera artist Sheng Li alongside eight Qingyi performers, the performance was visually striking, emotionally powerful, and beautifully sung.

Dynamic Winds & Rhythms: A Vision of Grace and Power The intersection of classical dance, swordplay, and thunderous drumming brought immense energy and cinematic scale to the stage:

• Xi Wen Shuo & Ta Xue Fei Xuan: Presented by the Xingfan Arts Centre under the expert choreography of instructor Sally Wang, the dancers utilized fluid, expressive movements to elegantly convey Jiangnan regional folklore and classical Chinese aesthetics.

• Mulan: The Battle & Sword Dance: An excerpt from the acclaimed original dance drama My Mulan, delivered with breathtaking intensity by the Lindance Academy of Performing Arts. Under the direction of choreographer Li Lin, eight dancers executed a sharp, powerful sword dance, while the stirring battlefield atmosphere was heightened by the thunderous war drums played by instructor Wang Rong of the Toronto Women's Dragon Drum Group.

Soulful Recitations: Poetry That Connects Generations The Canadian Recitation Art Troupe delivered a moving performance of Jian Jia + Feng Xue Yin, an original piece penned by poet Huang Zanyang specifically for the Classic of Poetry Recitation Competition. The six reciters spoke with profound emotion, seamlessly weaving the ethereal imagery of ancient Chinese verse with the modern, reflective sentiments of immigrants living amidst the Canadian "maples and snow," deeply moving everyone in attendance.

Acknowledgments and Expressions of Gratitude The immense success of this production relies heavily on the collective dedication of community organizations, government bodies, and a roster of exceptional artists. The organizing committee wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to Celebrate Markham, the York Region Government, and Heritage Canada for their unwavering support. Special gratitude is also extended to Artistic Director Amely Zhou, Conductor James Wu (Jianqi Wu), Pipa soloist Yanglei Yang, Dizi soloist Lipeng Wu, Guzheng soloists Ziwen Qin and Feihong Nan, as well as Michelle Suen (Mingxue Sun), Kenny Kwan, Mike Liu (Zhuochong Liu), and Sophy Li (Shuang Li) of the FOMO Chinese Music Ensemble, among many other talented musicians. Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes to the masters of ceremonies, Huang Zanyang and Anna Zhou, alongside instructors Yuhua and Li Dan, for their essential contributions. It is through the dedicated synergy of these government institutions and artistic peers that the brilliant heritage of traditional Chinese literati culture continues to flourish, adapt, and shine within Canada's diverse multicultural landscape.

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弘扬文人时代经典，展现多元文化风采 ——第十一届文人时代文化艺术节《词曲之艺》古典音乐会圆满落幕

【加拿大万锦市讯】 2026年11月1日，由一同家园文化中心主办的第十一届文人时代文化艺术节在万锦市剧院成功举办，并宣告本届艺术节圆满闭幕。作为本届艺术节的重头戏，主题为《词曲之艺》的古典音乐会融汇了古典与现代、戏曲与雅乐，通过多元艺术形式为安省观众奉献了一场高水准的视听盛宴。本次演出节目精彩纷呈，吸引了众多艺术爱好者及社区居民到场观赏。

多元序幕：嘹亮国歌致敬多元文化 演出在气势磅礴的加拿大国歌声中拉开序幕。由金色年华管弦乐团与金鹰艺术团联合呈现，在嘹亮的多元电声管乐队伴奏下，老年合唱团（Senior Choir）用饱满的热情唱响了对这片土地的热爱，生动展现了加拿大包容、多元的社区精神。

丝竹管弦：FOMO民乐团倾情奉献 作为本次演出的核心乐团，FOMO民乐团带来了多个形式多样、内涵丰富的器乐节目，全方位展示了经典音乐的博大精深与当代演绎的独特魅力：

• 《笙｜介绍 + 简短 Solo》：由 Mike Liu (刘卓冲) 带来生动的乐器科普与精彩的独奏表演。

• 《扬州小调》：在乐团的默契合奏中，Sophy Li (李爽) 演绎的二胡独奏细腻动人，令人如痴如醉。

• 《滥竽充数》：Mike Liu (刘卓冲) 以精湛的技艺与幽默的表演，同乐团展开精准互动，将笙独奏推向了全新的艺术境界。

• 《敦煌新语》、《渔歌》与《东猎》：数首风格迥异的乐团大合奏交相辉映，震撼全场。

琴韵歌赋：传统文化的少儿传承 古琴与诗词的完美结合，彰显了文人文化艺术薪火相传：

• 《大唐雅韵》：由元音琴社带来气势宏大的古筝大合奏，尽显大唐盛世的音乐风骨。

• 《诗经·伐木》与《酒狂》：由 Dan Drama 中文小剧场的四位少儿带来生动的诗词朗诵，元音琴社的古琴伴奏不仅意境深远，更完美契合了本次《诗经》少儿诗歌朗诵大赛的主题。随后，元音琴社的四位琴人共同奏响经典古琴曲《酒狂》，赢得现场掌声雷动。

梨园国粹：同台演绎四大名剧 本地戏曲名家与优秀团体齐聚一堂，同台倾情演绎四大名剧经典片段：

• 《梁祝·十八相送》：由多伦多越剧团 (Toronto Yue Opera Troupe) 的八位演员各自代表八个门派同台献艺，唱腔或高亢有力，或吴侬软语，完美重现了梁祝依依惜别的经典场景。

• 《帝女花》：在 FOMO民乐团的大合奏伴奏下，Steven Sum 与 Peon Ho 倾情献唱，再现了家喻户晓的经典粤剧旋律。

• 《游园惊梦》：由多伦多雅乐艺术中心倾力打造，昆曲演员朱彦宴以委婉细腻的演唱和身段，将观众带入姹紫嫣红的古典园林意境之中。

• 《贵妃醉酒》：由龍聲京剧团精彩呈现，京剧艺术家盛莉领衔八位青衣同台表演，唱腔优美华丽，舞台张力十足。

舞动风华：刚柔并济的视觉盛宴 舞蹈、剑影与战鼓的结合，为舞台增添了激昂的动感与视觉冲击力：

• 《戏文说》与《踏雪飞旋》：由星帆艺术中心带来，在指导老师 Sally Wang 的悉心编排下，舞者们用灵动的舞姿完美诠释了江南风情与古典美学。

• 《木兰征战·剑舞》：选自知名原创舞剧《My Mulan》，由林丹斯舞蹈艺术学院震撼出演。在编导李林老师的引领下，八名舞者带来刚劲有力的剑舞；同时，多伦多女子龙鼓队王荣老师激昂的战鼓演奏响彻全场，让古战场征战的画面更加激越人心。

声情并茂：吟诵之美直击人心 由加拿大朗诵艺术团带来的诗朗诵《蒹葭枫雪吟》是由诗人黄赞扬专门为本次《诗经》主题朗诵大赛创作的原创诗歌作品。六位朗诵者用饱含深情的语调，将中国古典诗词的空灵意境与当代海外游子的“枫雪”情怀完美融合，引起了现场观众的强烈共鸣。

铭谢支持 本次演出的圆满成功，离不开社区各界、政府机构以及多位杰出艺术家的倾力奉献。 主办方在此特别向 Celebrate Markham、York Region（约克区政府） 以及 Heritage Canada（加拿大联邦文化遗产部） 致以诚挚的谢意。同时，衷心感谢艺术总监周嘉丽（Amely Zhou）、指挥 James Wu (武剑琪)，琵琶演奏家杨小磊、笛子演奏家吴立鹏、古筝演奏家秦子雯和南飞鸿，以及 Michelle Suen (孫名雪)、Kenny Kwan、Mike Liu (刘卓冲)、Sophy Li (李爽) 等一众 FOMO 民乐团音乐人的精彩演出。此外，特别感谢主持人黄赞扬、Anna 周，以及指导老师玉华和李丹老师的大力支持。 正是得益于以上政府机构与艺术同仁的共同携手，才让中华文人文化艺术在加拿大的多元文化土壤中绽放出更加绚丽的光彩！