Feona Lee Jones - The Story of Wu Wei (Chamber Opera with Fixed-Media Electronic Interludes)

The Story of Wu Wei – Chamber Opera with fixed-media electronic interludes

1. The Womb (electronic intro) 00:39
2. Prologue (live performance, conducted by Steed Cowart) 4:04
3. Red Skeletons (electronic interlude) 7:49
4. The Sound of Death (live performance, conducted by Willie Winant)11:09
5. The Aftermath (electronic interlude) 18:44
6. Mother’s Death (live performance, conducted by Steed Cowart) 21:47
7. Angelic Conversations (electronic coda) 26:10

The Story of Wu Wei is a condensed, single-act English-language chamber opera reflecting my mother’s struggle to survive under the Mao Zedong Regime in the 1950s. During this period of civil strife in China, millions died due to violent class warfare.

The opera weaves a tapestry of personal and political events, following the life of Wu Wei and her mother, Mei. Wu Wei’s father was a scholar, a Buddhist, and a landowner, which meant they were targets of the Mao Regime. Together they transcend the hardship of losing Wu Wei’s father, their home, and all their belongings. Through this tumultuous period of heartbreaking loss, Wu Wei perseveres and carries forward hope that she will then impart on future generations.

The desire to compose works pertinent to my ancestral background fuels me to discover more about myself through the history of my parents and ancestors. Through their unique stories, I can view the human journey across centuries and continents and bridge cultural and generational gaps to create a brighter future for the next generation.

1. The Womb (electronic intro) – This introduction symbolizes the safety and peace of being in the womb. This peace is soon transformed as Wu Wei realizes her family is no longer safe and will soon lose everything to the Peoples Liberation Army under the Mao Regime.

2. Prologue (live performance, conducted by Steed Cowart) – Wu Wei and her family sing text from a Buddhist chant embracing their familial union. The introduction chanting of the Peoples Liberation Army chorus drastically changes the trajectory of the piece as the soldiers chant passages from The Little Red Book, and some of my own text.

3. Red Skeletons (electronic interlude) – This interlude depicts the uncertainty that Wu Wei and her family face being targeted by the Peoples Liberation Army. The harsh reality that they could lose everything has become almost certain.

4. The Sound of Death (live performance, conducted by Willie Winant) – This is the climactic moment when Huang, the father, is murdered by the soldier who no longer will tolerate his lifestyle under the orders of Mao.

5. The Aftermath (electronic interlude) – This interlude represents the fatal aftermath of the incident when Wu Wei’s father was killed by the soldier.

6. Mother’s Death (live performance, conducted by Steed Cowart) – This movement depicts the death of the mother from being heart-broken after the loss of her husband.

7. Angelic Conversations (electronic coda) – This coda depicts the end of the story where Wu Wei is left on her own and struggles to accept her fate. This piece is about letting go.

Performers
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Conductors
Willie Winant (Sound of Death aria)
Steed Cowart (Prologue and Mother’s Death arias)

Main Singers
Corinne Rydman (Wu Wei, Daughter)
Anne Hege (Mei, Mother)
Elaine Hsieh (Yao Lan, Servant)
Spencer Dodd (Soldier)
Michael Orlinsky (Huang, Father)

Piano
Nayoung Jung

Chorus
Rodolfo Córdova (soloist)
Jess Tambellini
Greg Kappes
Angelica Sanabria
Nedra Pinto

String Quartet
Alyssa Quiogue (Violin 1)
Charles McGraw (Violin 2)
Tavya McCoy (Viola)
Crystal Pascucci (Cello)

Percussion Ensemble
Tony Giuseppe Gennaro (Chinese Tom-toms High)
Imogen Teasley-Vlautin (Chinese Tom-toms Mid)
Brendan Glasson (Chinese Tom-toms Low)
Michael Jones (Marimba)
Breonna Taylor (Chinese Hand Gong)
Lucca Troutman (Tam-tam)
Valentine O’Leary (Flexitone)
Joel Nelson (Suspended Cymbal)
Tim Decillis (Triangle)
Lula Marni Asplund (Shakers)
Sarah McNamara (Shakers)