Blinded by the boundless possibilities in modern China, the European architect Sem Aers has been lured into designing a spectacular megastructure in a remote Chinese village. Whilst there, he has a passionate love affair with the famous opera singer Qin Mulan. But just as under the layers of opera make-up and costumes, Mulan turns out be a canny, modern business woman. In a similar way his dream project turns out to be unreal. Mixing traditional Kunqu opera with Wagnerian late romanticism, the Dutch composer Arnoud Noordegraaf evokes the clashes between East and West, tradition and modernity, romance and reality – conflicts which are also expressed through the inventive stage design and film projections by Ai Weiwei, China’s most famous contemporary artist.

Coproduction: Holland Festival, Barooni, Asko|Schönberg
With support by: Ammodo, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Amsterams Fonds voor de Kunst, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Fonds voor Hedendaagse Muziek, Adèle Wickertfonds, Fontein Tuynhout Fonds, VSB Fonds

Artists

Arnoud Noordegraaf
As Big as the Sky

Asko|Schönberg
Slagwerk Den Haag
music, direction, film Arnoud Noordegraaf
conductor Bas Wiegers
baritone Martijn Cornet
soprano Hë Yí
mezzo soprano Merlijn Runia
mr. Luo Li Yuan Wei
decor, film Ai Weiwei
libretto, scenario Adrian Hornsby
assistant conductor MaNOj Kamps