Photograph Cheong Koon Seng and members of Star Opera

This framed photograph of Cheong Koon Seng (seated in the centre) and his staff was taken on the occasion of a farewell dinner held before his departure for a round-the-world tour. Cheong Koon Seng founded the Star Opera Company, the first major theatre in Singapore that presented performances in Malay. The Star Opera enjoyed the patronage of the governor and the sultan of Terengganu, and some of its popular performers would sometimes receive gifts of jewellery from audience members. Cheong Koon Seng served as a Municipal Commissioner a Justice of the Peace. He was also a founding member of the Chinese Swimming Club.

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