Silver River

1997

Composer:
Bright Sheng

Librettist:
David Henry Hwang

Performance forces:
African-American actress (Western style), Asian Male singer (Chinese Opera style), bar (Western Opera/Musical Theatre style) — fl/picc/a fl, cl/b cl/perc, pipa, perc, vln/perc, vc/perc

Length:
1:08

Languages:
English

Notes:
According to ancient Chinese legend, Night and Day were created through the ill-fated love between a heavenly being and a mortal. The legend of the Silver River comes alive in a bewitching production populated by Jade Emperors, Goddess Weavers and other celestial beings. Bright Sheng and David Henry Hwang, librettist of the Tony Award-winning M. Butterfly, integrate elements from both Western and Chinese opera in a touching and timeless fable.