Monkey King set for debut in San Francisco

Asian American stories

Huang Ruo has won wide praise for his incisive, lyrical works across musical genres, from the puppet opera Book of Mountains and Seas and oratorio Angel Island to his operatic collaborations with Hwang, including An American Soldier, The Rift and M. Butterfly. His new opera The Wedding Banquet, based on Ang Lee's 1993 film, will open the Metropolitan Opera's 2027-28 season.

Almost all of his works focus on Asian or Asian American stories. "It's important for Asian and Asian American stories to be told and heard. The struggles and issues we face today still linger. As a composer, I use opera as my medium for storytelling. Some of my works, like An American Soldier, are based on true events," he said.

"I hope more Asian American composers will come forward to share their stories. For now, I'll continue doing so because I'm fortunate to be in a position to give voice to them."

The Monkey King has drawn broad support. A distinguished group of leaders from business, tech, nonprofits and cultural sectors have joined together as The Monkey King Committee, serving as ambassadors for the opera and raising philanthropic support.

The committee's honorary chairs are Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang and his wife, Lori. "The Monkey King is a timeless epic that celebrates courage, transformation and the spirit of adventure," Jensen Huang said in a statement, praising the production as "a breathtaking fusion of Chinese legend and American craftsmanship and artistry".

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock said the Bay Area has shown "incredible energy" for the project since it was announced. "Journey to the West has such a strong, emotional connection for those who grew up with the adventures and irreverent charm of Sun Wukong, and it's a joy to have this incredible group of committee members helping us bring the Monkey King to life," Shilvock said.

"It's extraordinary to see such a diverse group of supporters from different fields unite behind The Monkey King. The support really touched me. It resonated deeply with the mission behind creating this opera," Huang Ruo said.

His dream is to create a four-part Monkey King cycle to tell the full story of Journey to the West. This new production is the beginning.

Though rooted in Chinese culture, the Monkey King's actions and aspirations are universally relatable, Huang Ruo said. He hopes audiences will leave the performance not only appreciating the story and the character, but also discovering something new about Asian culture, storytelling and artistry.

"I don't want The Monkey King to be seen as an elite art form. It should be shared widely, understood and appreciated by people from all backgrounds. My hope is that anyone who attends will feel welcome and that this opera was written for them," he said. "We all live with struggles at work or in life. I hope this opera offers a moment of relief, an escape, a breath of fresh air. A moment to hear each other, see each other and reflect."

That sense of shared experience, Huang Ruo added, underpins his belief that art can connect people across cultures. "Music has no borders. It's a universal language that can bring people together and bridge cultures in meaningful ways. Historically, art and music have played essential roles in fostering dialogue and understanding. I hope The Monkey King can be brought to China one day, to be performed there and embraced by audiences back home," he said.