Witnessing the evolution of a musical work is a fascinating experience - particularly if you've written it. In a small rehearsal room deep below New York's Lincoln Centre, mainland composer Huang Ruo and Hong Kong librettist Candace Chong Mui-ngam are hearing a 25-minute extract from their new opera, Dr Sun Yat-sen, sung for the first time.
It's a cosmopolitan gathering: George Manahan, director of the New York City Opera, is the conductor, principal singers Gong Dongjian and Yang Guang hail from the mainland, while the City Opera's vocal ensemble sing the part of the chorus using a pinyin score. Nervous faces become relaxed and worry turns to enjoyment as the singers breeze their way through the new composition, accompanied only by piano. Composer and librettist agree that their work is sounding good. Dr Sun Yat-sen was commissioned by Opera Hong Kong to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Xinhai rebellion, which overthrew the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China. The new work is set to premiere in Hong Kong later in the year, before moving to Guangzhou and Beijing.
Interestingly, Huang has composed two versions of the score: one for a western orchestra and the other for a Chinese ensemble. Hongkongers will hear the Chinese version with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, while listeners on the mainland will experience a performance with a western orchestra. Although untested as yet, it is hoped that the vocals - the piece is sung in Putonghua - will seamlessly integrate with both orchestral arrangements.
Sun Yat-sen is known for helping to establish the Republic of China. The opera keeps the historical events in the foreground by means of a chorus. But the story, as befits an opera, focuses on a more personal event in his life.
When Sun fled to Japan to escape imperial assassins, Soong Ching-ling, the young daughter of his friend and supporter Charlie Soong, went with him. The two were married, much to the displeasure of Soong and his wife, Ni Guanzhi: Sun was not only older than his new bride, but already married.
The opera follows the shifting relationship between the two men as important political events play out behind them.