US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music, China present

China Now Music Festival: Open Dress

September 30

Add to Calendar2026-09-30 7:30 pm2026-09-30 8:30 pmEDTChina Now Music Festival: Open Dress

Bard East/West Ensemble; photo by Fadi Kheir / Festival Graphics by Saboteur Studios, UK

Fisher Center, Sosnoff Theater,

Come join us to take a closer look at the behind-the-scenes production of composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang’s chamber opera in one act, THE RIFT. Presented by the US-China Music Institute in partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music, China, this open dress rehearsal gives you a sneak peek into how this opera comes together on stage. See firsthand how the music detailing the story of Maya Lin’s design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is rehearsed, refined, and prepared for performance. 

This rehearsal is a preview of the opening concert of the 9th annual China Now Music Festival: Chasing Dreams. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s festival uses music to tell powerful stories about migration, artistic vision, resilience, and aspirations. The theme, Chasing Dreams, reminds us that the pursuit of dreams is a shared human experience that connects us all. 

Learn More about the China Now Music Festival

Program

THE RIFT: Opera in One Act (concert version) (ca. 55’)

Huang Ruo (b.1976) composer
David Henry Hwang (b.1957) librettist

Karen Vuong soprano 
Michelle Mariposa mezzo-soprano
Edward Graves tenor
Daniel Klein bass-baritone

Artists

Jindong Cai 蔡金冬

Artistic Director and Conductor

Edward Graves

Tenor

David Henry Hwang 黄哲伦

Librettist

Daniel Klein

Bass-Baritone

Michelle Mariposa

Mezzo-Soprano

Huang Ruo 黄若

Composer

Karen Vuong

Soprano

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