Wenji:

Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute

A contemporary bilingual opera based on the true story of poet/musician Cai Wenji from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-210 CE) in China. The story follows a scholar’s daughter who becomes a prize of war, torn between the two worlds. “The tale is pulled from the magical suitcase of a poor storyteller, filling the stage with light and color as the characters come to life,” explains director Eckert. With a libretto sung in English and Chinese (with bilingual supertitles), the music incorporates nuances from ancient Chinese to Western contemporary.

Composer: Bun Ching Lam
Librettist & Assistant Director: Xu Ying
Director: Rinde Eckert

Libretto English Translation: Diana Liao

Singers: Ethan Herschenfled (bass), Li Xiuying (soprano), Zhou Long (Beijing opera performer/singer)

Set Designer: Robert Brill
Costume Designer: Linda Cho
Lighting Designer: Allen Hahn