New York's Advance Look at 'Dr. Sun Yat-sen,' Ahead of US Premiere

Asia Society New York's panel discussion on Huang Ruo's opera "Dr. Sun Yat-Sen" on Dec. 2, 2013, introduced by Asia Society Director of Global Performing Arts and Special Cultural Initiatives Rachel Cooper (standing, R). (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen" composer Huang Ruo (L) and choreographer Sean Curran (R) at Asia Society New York on Dec. 2, 2013. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

L to R: "Dr. Sun Yat-sen" choreographer Sean Curran, costume designer James Schuette, and stage director James Robinson at Asia Society New York on Dec. 2, 2013. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Three instrumentalists and four singers, shown here with Huang Ruo (C), presented musical excerpts from the work following the discussion. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen" combines Eastern, Western, folk, and classical styles. Above, the pipa played by Zhou Yi at Asia Society New York on Dec. 2, 2013. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

Conductor Carolyn Kuan and composer Huang Ruo at Asia Society New York on December 2, 2013. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

A model of the opera's set as envisioned for the Santa Fe Opera production. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

NEW YORK, December 2, 2013 — Asia Society presented an evening of live music and a panel discussion with the creative team behind the opera Dr. Sun Yat-sen prior to its American premiere at the Santa Fe Opera in July 2014.

Written by the Chinese-born American composer Huang Ruo, with a libretto by Candace Mui-ngam Chong, this historical opera dramatizes — through a blend of Eastern, Western, folk, and classical styles — the early-20th-century struggle to overthrow China's ancient monarchy and build a modern national identity.

Panelists:
Ken Smith, moderator
Huang Ruo, composer
James Robinson, stage director
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
James Schuette, costume designer
Sean Curran, choreographer
Allen Moyer, scenic designer

Singers:
Fang-Tao Jiang, soprano (Soong Ching-ling and Lu Mu-zhen)
Laurence Broderick, tenor (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen)
Benjamin Bloomfield, bass-baritone (Charlie Soong)
Toby Newman, mezzo-soprano (Ni Gui-Zhen)

Musicians:
Zhou Yi, pipa and gu qin
Shelley Monroe Huang, bassoon
Stephen Buck, piano

Download the program notes (PDF)

Video: Highlights from the panel discussion (5 min., 23 sec.)