Poet Li Bai
by Central City Opera
Dear , oh dears!
Can you believe it – the workshop is packing up! Because we actually finished what we set out to do, and more!
First of all, Guo Wenjing dazzled us with his music, especially the final scene. The singers rushed to try out the notes with the pianist, like children trying on new clothes. The sheets were also snatched up by the librettists, who have been chasing Guo from scene to scene. The director was tickled pink by the great space Guo left him to maneuver, discussing at length with us how to bring out the best visual and dramatic effect. When the costumes were tried on, we knew everything had finally come together.
Like all parties coming to a close, it is difficult to say good-bye to everyone. Martha and Tian’s apartment has been reverted to a normal living room, yet somehow changed by the days of dramatic energy in every corner of the room. Even the computers, the printers, the telephones closed down with a sigh. The driver is waiting, to take us back to our respective continents. Parting is such sweet sorrow!
No matter. In two weeks, the whole team will have the pleasure of working with all of you in Colorado, and that will be an event. Apart from the scores, the parts, the costumes…in short, the hardware that we’ll be bringing to you, we will also be sharing with you what we had learned here in Beijing - the pleasure of having the poet in our midst, laughing, crying, living to the hilt what life has to offer.
Beijing is a lovely city. Perhaps you’d like to see Li Bai in his home country? Oct. 9th in Beijing and Oct. 18th in Shanghai – see you there!
Exhausted but elated,
Yours from Beijing.
