The Making of the Opera by Diana Liao
“The idea of writing about the Tang poet Li Bai came about in early 2000, when I was still working at the Interpretation Service of the United Nations. The new millennium brought on an unprecedented number of meetings for the interpreters, and I was swamped. The poems of Li Bai, scaling majestic mountains and flying over sparkling lakes, offered delightful relief, as they had done throughout my growing up years”
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An Interview with the Composer, Guo Wenjing
“I wanted the libretto to contain less of Li Bai’s poetry, more of his personal story. I hope that when the audience watches this opera, they can see the person’s life, not the artist’s work. Poet Li Bai is an opera. It’s not about setting poetry into music. “
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An Interview with the Director, Lin Zhaohua
“In my creations there are no specific concepts or intentions that should be labeled “avant-garde” or “new.” I direct because I feel that is the right way to direct on stage.”
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An Interview with the Conductor, Ed Spanjaard
“It was in 1991 that I first met the group of young Chinese composers, now all enjoying international reputations. The Nieuw Ensemble in Amsterdam organized a concert of world premieres by young Chinese composers at the Paradiso (a venue that even had hosted the Rolling Stones!). At that time, Guo Wenjing, Tan Dun, and many of their classmates all came to Amsterdam to attend rehearsals.”
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Biographies of the Poet Li Bai Creative Team