Monkey King set for debut in San Francisco
Beloved character from classic Chinese literature brought to life in performance combining cultural tradition with a modern multidisciplinary production
The Monkey King, one of the most beloved characters in Chinese literature, is set to make his Western operatic debut. Composer Huang Ruo said the legendary hero, who has resonated across generations and cultures, remains inspiring today and could help bridge differences and foster understanding.
"The Monkey King's adventures awaken in him an understanding of true power, which leads to self-enlightenment. In our new opera, which blends cultural traditions with a multidisciplinary production, I hope to bring this Eastern superhero to life and shine a hopeful light that will always appear in turbulent times," Huang Ruo said.
Commissioned by San Francisco Opera in partnership with the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota, The Monkey King is based on the opening chapters of the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, widely regarded as one of China's greatest literary classics.
The adaptation for the Western opera stage, performed in English and Chinese and uniting opera, movement and puppetry, will premiere Nov 14 at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.
The opera follows Sun Wukong, a young monkey born from stone who challenges the gods in pursuit of immortality. Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang have blended ancient Chinese and contemporary Western traditions to create a "unique incarnation" of the character.
