According to the WordPress Blog statistics, the most common search term that brings people to this blog is “Teochew Opera”. So here’s another one for the Teochew fans out there.
A common complaint is that all Teochew Opera sounds the same (which has some truth to it) but this record certainly stands out …I’m not sure what to say except that this is a very unusual sounding record!
The title is Tio Mou Seng Tong Sok (Man Trapped in Snow).
UPDATE: Reader Javier Li Yong-En (and her Mom!) informs us that the trumpet sound here is a Har To (or Hao Tou) which is commonly used to accompany onstage action in military or court scenes. She adds that this is a recording by a defunct opera troupe from Singapore called Lao Gek Chuong Hiang. She also sends a photo he took of the Har To. She disagrees that this is an uncommon sounding recording, but I have at least 50 Teochew 78’s but not a single one sounds like this. Thanks Javier!
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The title is called Tio Mou Seng Tong Sok (Man Trapped in Snow). This record was from the pre-war in 1930’s.
Comment by Justin April 11, 2008 @ 6:41 amThanks for the title Justin!
Comment by hajimaji April 16, 2008 @ 2:41 pmThis is the first time that I’ve heard of Teochew opera.
And it sort of freaks me out.
Comment by Kym August 16, 2008 @ 11:02 pmHi,
do you know of any teochew performers in the san francisco area? i’m planning out my wedding and would love to have a teochew opera at the banquet as a surprise.
Comment by Judy TAng September 10, 2008 @ 10:00 pm