Ye Xian: A Story Untold
Tangram presents a night of new music by British-Chinese composer, Alex Ho, culminating in the world premiere of a new stage-work, Untold, co-directed by Alex Ho and the creative director and choreographer, Julia Cheng.
Untold reimagines the Chinese traditional story of Ye Xian, one of the earlier versions of the European story of Cinderella. Performed by counter-tenor, Keith Pun, Julia Cheng, and Tangram, an artist collective opening up spaces beyond the China-West dichotomy, the piece integrates contemporary classical music, hip hop movement, and Chinese and western instruments into an immersive experience that blends genres, art-forms, and cultures.
The event features two more works by Alex Ho. It begins with Dreaming Clouds, a piece for solo violin and dance performed by Alex Ho and Julia Cheng that was reviewed as “a remarkable experience” and “by far the most emotionally engaged performance” at its premiere at Second Movement’s ‘Rough for Opera’ series (Schmopera).
This is followed by Rituals and Resonances for solo yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), performed by award-winning artist, Reylon Yount, whose performance of the piece won Nonclassical’s Battle of the Bands 2019. “After a couple of minutes, everyone in the room just stopped,” commented conductor, Jessica Cottis. “I think we were really drawn into this visceral world of colour. It was very special.”
Flora Yin-Wong will be performing a new DJ set throughout the evening, experimenting with original samples like the yangqin, gamelan reongs, and tsurigane bells, completing the line-up for this special event that showcases the richness of Chinese diasporic culture.
Drinks will be available for purchase at the venue.
This event is supported generously by Arts Council England, Help Musicians UK, Sound and Music, Snape Maltings, RVW Trust, PRS Foundation, The London Community Foundation, and The Cockayne Foundation.
DOORS / FLORA YIN-WONG FIRST DJ SET: 7.30pm
PERFORMANCE STARTS: 8pm
Photo credit: Claire Shovelton