Hong Kong Arts Festival’s Dream of the Red Chamber opera accentuates the love story at its heart
Co-production with San Francisco Opera of 18th-century Chinese literary classic is spectacular, with dream team of singers and creators, including composer Bright Sheng and librettist David Henry Hwang
Dream of the Red Chamber – the popular 18th-century Chinese literary classic written by Cao Xueqin – has been told and retold through so many media and art forms that any trip down this well-trodden path risks banality and predictability.
But that has not stopped the San Francisco Opera from adapting this romantic, political tale, which follows the fortunes of several aristocratic families in Qing dynasty China. For its general director, David Gockley, it’s high time Western audiences get to know this masterpiece. No expense was spared in forming a dream team of artistic collaborators and star singers, or in crafting elaborate sets and costumes.
Hence all the weighty names attached to the project, including librettist David Henry Hwang, director Stan Lai, composer Bright Sheng and designer Tim Yip.
The guidelines that Gockley set out for composers may be the key to his success at getting new operas successfully produced. He says, “What I have tried to do with composers, including Bright Sheng, is to get them to write in a neo-romantic musical style that the public will embrace right from the start, without having to take university courses.”
Premiered in San Francisco last September, the production will be staged as part of this year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival on March 17 and 18. The cast will be the same, except for mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts who has other commitments.
