Opera Singer, Actor. Born Tang Wing-Cheung, he was best known for his many performances for the Tung Wah Charity Show, and his high vocal notes and singing technique. Born in Shunde, Guangdong, China, his parents divorced when he was eight. After the divorce, he and his mother moved to Hong Kong. He would then leave home to learn Cantonese opera. He was known as a child prodigy, and his opera teacher would give him the stage name Sun Ma Sze Tsang (新马师曾), meaning 'New Ma Sze-Tsang,' after Ma Sze-Tsang, a famous Cantonese opera singer. At the age of 17, he studied with Sit Kok-Sin and other opera singers in Shanghai. He made his acting debut in 1936 with "The Perfect Match," and has acted in more than 300 movies, including "Two Foolish Heroes." He frequently attended the Tung Wah Charity Show, and his performances, including "Man Ok Yan Wai Shou" and "Emperor Kuang-hsu Mourns Consort Zhen," often garnered substantial donations. He was then known as the "King of Charitable Opera." In 1977, he was made an honorary professor of the University of Cambridge. The following year, he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Opera Singer, Actor. Born Tang Wing-Cheung, he was best known for his many performances for the Tung Wah Charity Show, and his high vocal notes and singing technique. Born in Shunde, Guangdong, China, his parents divorced when he was eight. After the divorce, he and his mother moved to Hong Kong. He would then leave home to learn Cantonese opera. He was known as a child prodigy, and his opera teacher would give him the stage name Sun Ma Sze Tsang (新马师曾), meaning 'New Ma Sze-Tsang,' after Ma Sze-Tsang, a famous Cantonese opera singer. At the age of 17, he studied with Sit Kok-Sin and other opera singers in Shanghai. He made his acting debut in 1936 with "The Perfect Match," and has acted in more than 300 movies, including "Two Foolish Heroes." He frequently attended the Tung Wah Charity Show, and his performances, including "Man Ok Yan Wai Shou" and "Emperor Kuang-hsu Mourns Consort Zhen," often garnered substantial donations. He was then known as the "King of Charitable Opera." In 1977, he was made an honorary professor of the University of Cambridge. The following year, he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Bio by: Tasik Austin
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