Lam Kar-sing

Biography

Lam Kar-sing (Lin Jiasheng) was born on 20 January 1933 in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, originally named Lin Man Chun. His father was the station master of Tai Po railway station, and his mother passed away when he was three. He studied at Chung Tak School before transferring to Rose Music Academy, where he learned Cantonese opera singing and piano. In 1943, at age 11, he apprenticed under Ding Xiao Lan Fang and specialized in the "Zhongzhou" ancient style of Cantonese opera, debuting in the role of Wu Song. After World War II, he returned to Hong Kong and studied under several renowned masters, becoming the last close disciple of the legendary Xue Juexian in 1948. He began his film career at age 14 and appeared in 304 films over twenty years. In 1962 he founded the "Ching Sun Sing" opera troupe, and in 1965 established the "Chung Sun Sing" troupe to realize his artistic vision. He produced 26 television opera specials in 1976. He retired from the professional stage in 1993 after 38 performances and a North American tour. He received numerous honours including the Silver Bauhinia Star from the Hong Kong government in 2012 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2000. He passed away on 4 August 2015 at his Kowloon home at the age of 82.