San Francisco Opera: The Monkey King

This program features a unique public affairs arts conversation between Chinese-born composer Huang Ruo and Matthew Shilvock, who is in his tenth season as San Francisco Opera’s general director.

The Monkey King (猴王悟空), by Huang Ruo and American librettist/playwright David Henry Hwang, conducted by Carolyn Kuan, is of topical interest as an action hero story with moments of peace and reflection. The Monkey King centers around the mythic hero from China’s classic novel Journey to the West. A monkey born from a stone becomes the ruler of the monkeys and challenges the gods of the seas and heavens in a bid for immortality. SF Opera is producing the world premiere, performed in English and Chinese, uniting the disciplines of opera, dance and puppetry.

The Monkey King's blended production is not your grandmothers’ traditional opera! It’s also a 2024 blockbuster video game Black Myth: Wukong.

Musical theatre audiences are familiar with Broadway’s acclaimed Tony award winning M. Butterfly team, which was also led by Ruo and American librettist/playwright David Henry Whang and conductor Carolyn Kuan.

Describing a technique he calls "dimensionalism," Ruo uses a “musical voice which draws equal inspiration from Chinese folk, Western avant-garde, rock and jazz (Mimakos, 2011)." Of Monkey King, he says, "In our new opera, which blends cultural traditions with a spectacular multidisciplinary production, I hope to bring this Eastern superhero to life and shine a hopeful light that will always appear in any turbulent time.”

Shilvock announced that The Monkey King, opening November 14 at War Memorial Opera House, reflects SF Opera’s commitment to global storytelling that makes a difference. He notes that “It's indicative of artistry that affirms the Bay Area as one of the great cultural centers of the world.”

Our moderator will be Cole Thomason-Redus, vice chair of the Arts Member-led Forum, and educational content curator for San Francisco Opera.

An Arts Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

In Association with San Francisco Opera and Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota. 

Organizer: Anne W Smith & Cole Thomas-Redus  

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