Hutong

Composer:
Kui Dong

Librettist:
Monica Datta, Paul Schick

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Notes:
1) Hutong (simplified Chinese: 胡同; traditional Chinese: 衚衕 or 胡同; pinyin: hútòng) are a type of narrow lane or alleyway in a traditional residential area of a Chinese city, especially Beijing. 2) Hutong, an opera by Kui Dong. Hutong is a comic opera in fifteen parts about the whimsical nature of urban coincidence and the white space between vignettes. Set during a late summer in Beijing. Beijing, the capital city of China has over 3,000 years of history. Unfortunately, the quest for modern high-rise apartment buildings, offices and shopping malls has destroyed many authentic hu tongs located in prime areas of Beijing’s city center. The opera is a day in the fantasy life of a hu tong, peopled by a disparate array of characters: a blind Norwegian sailor, the Beijing police department, assorted international architects, some children, a frog, all presided over by the Fenghuang, or phoenix. Work in progress as of February, 2022. Supported by 2019 Opera America IDEA Grant and Dartmouth College Seed fund.