Combining the lyricism of Italianate opera, lush Western orchestration, a male "Greek chorus," gamelan-like percussion, and the organic sounds of nature — water, paper, and stones — Tan Dun’s opera Tea: A Mirror of Soul brings an ancient tale to the 21st century. The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents Tea in its East Coast premiere with four performances in February.
Tea: A Mirror of Soul
© Opera Company of PhiladelphiaThis production was created for the American premiere at Santa Fe Opera (2006), with a team of Japanese artists led by Amon Miyamoto, stage director, Rumi Matsui, set design and costumes by Masatomo Ota. The cast once again features Kelly Kaduce and Haijing Fu as the lovers Lan and Seikyo, with Roger Honeywell as The Prince. Tan Dun conducts the first two performances of his tale of tea, love, journey and transformation.