Rosa Cheng
Founder, Artistic Director, Lead Performer
Rosa Cheng, a highly accomplished professional in Cantonese opera, founded the Vancouver Cantonese Opera Society (VCO) in 2000 the mission of promoting and preserving the excellence of this art form in Canada. Under Rosa’s dynamic leadership, VCO produced renowned Cantonese opera repertoires, gaining charitable status in 2005. The Society is dedicated to offering affordable and accessible outreach activities. Notably, VCO’s unique productions in British Columbia feature English and Chinese subtitles, enhancing the accessibility of the art form. Rosa’s unwavering dedication to perfection is evident in her continuous refinement of interpretations, having undertaken principal female roles for over 25 years. During the pandemic, she innovatively launched the virtual series “Cantonese Opera-in-the-Cloud” to bring the joy of Cantonese Opera to a wider audience within the comfort of their homes. Rosa’s artistic passion extends to fusion projects, exemplified by her collaboration with the rock band “Son of James” for the rock opera “Tale of the Eastside Lantern” in 2018. In a groundbreaking move in 2022, she wrote and created the first-ever Cantonese fusion opera, “The Prop Master’s Dream.” This inaugural fusion opera, she portrayed the role of Phoenix, the protagonist. Currently, Rosa is immersed in writing the second fusion opera, “The Awakening,” where she will take on the lead role of Peony. This experimental opera aims to celebrate Chinese Canadian history and the Sing Kew Theatre in Vancouver Chinatown. Through her dedication and creativity, Rosa endeavors to make Cantonese opera accessible to diverse audiences in Canada while preserving its essence. Her significant contributions include not only the establishment and leadership of VCO, but also her trailblazing efforts in the creation of innovative and culturally rich fusion opera.
is a non-profit and charitable society with a mission to preserve and promote Cantonese opera in Canada.
Vancouver Cantonese Opera acknowledges that we work and perform on the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
REGISTERED FEDERAL CHARITY NUMBER: 86268 3521 RR0001
REGISTERED UNDER THE BC SOCIETY ACT: S-41779