SAN MARINO, Calif.— The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens has named composer Huang Ruo as its 2017 Cheng Family Visiting Artist. The musical residency, inspired in part by The Huntington's Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan, was established in 2014 to promote understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture through music, performance, poetry, and art. Previous visiting artists were pipa virtuoso Wu Man in 2014 and violinist Cho-Liang Lin in 2015.
Huang has been described by The New Yorker as “one of the most intriguing of the new crop of Asian-American composers.” His multi-dimensional work draws inspiration from Chinese folk music, Western avant-garde, rock, and jazz. As versatile as he is inventive, Huang has composed pieces for orchestra, chamber music, opera, theater, and modern dance, as well as sound installations, multi-media, experimental improvisation, folk rock, and film.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Huang Ruo inspire and teach us here at The Huntington,” said June Li, curator emeritus of the Chinese Garden. “He has been a good friend of Liu Fang Yuan since the garden opened in 2008, and he is very sensitive to the historical ties between gardens and music.”
As part of his five-month residency, Huang will present a series of public programs at The Huntington. The first of these, on Jan. 31, is a discussion of Chinese opera in a contemporary context. That will be followed by a presentation on March 24 where he’ll be joined by kun opera singer Qian Yi. Huang’s final a concert on May 25 will feature excerpts from his highly acclaimed new opera, Paradise Interrupted, adapted with an instrumental arrangement created specifically for The Huntington. He will also participate in educational outreach activities, conducting a classroom session for performing arts students at Esteban E. Torres High School in Los Angeles and teaching a musical workshop for members of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra.
The visiting artist program is generously endowed by the Cheng Family Foundation.
Public Event Schedule:
An Evening with Huang Ruo
Jan. 31 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.
Composer Huang Ruo discusses Chinese opera and how his work reinterprets this traditional genre in a contemporary context. Free, no reservations required. Rothenberg Hall.
Huang Ruo and Qian Yi
March 24 (Friday) 7:30 p.m.
Huang Ruo is joined by the acclaimed kun opera singer Qian Yi for an evening of discussion and performance that explores the expressions, lyrics, and constructions that are unique to the art of Chinese opera. Free, no reservations required. Rothenberg Hall.
Huang Ruo: Excerpts from Paradise Interrupted and Traditional Kun Operas
May 25 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m.
For his final concert, Huang Ruo will present excerpts from his acclaimed new opera, Paradise Interrupted, adapted with an instrumental arrangement created just for The Huntington. Huang will be accompanied by kun opera singer Qian Yi and other musicians and vocalists. $15. Reservations are required. Rothenberg Hall.
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Contacts
Thea M. Page, 626-405-2260, tpage@huntington.org
Lisa Blackburn, 626-405-2140, lblackburn@huntington.org