This HMV model 193 record player was bought by Teo Chye Puah during the 1970s. Teo was born in Shantou, China, and gained an interest in Teochew opera. He came to Singapore in 1948 to join his elder brother. After moving from kampong Cheng San to his new HDB flat in Ang Mo Kio, Teo purchased the player so that he and his wife could continue to Teochew opera records, having stopped going to live performances. Teochew opera is a form of Chinese opera that is performed in the Teochew dialect. Like other variants, it brings together music, acting, elaborate costumes, and martial arts. One prominent Teochew opera company is Nam Hwa Opera, to whom Teo's records were donated.
