UNTOLD

Concertgebrouw Brugge (Muziektheater Transparant) & O. Festival

Production photos by Nika Prokopenka (photos 1-4) and Koen Broos

About

UNTOLD is a multi-disciplinary opera that weaves together the ninth-century Chinese folk tale of Ye Xian (a precursor to the 17th century European Cinderella fairy tale) with contemporary stories of life in the Chinese diaspora.

The production crosses geographical and creative boundaries, blending genres, art forms, and cultures. Set to a contemporary classical score by Alex Ho, created for counter tenor voice, western and traditional Chinese instruments, the production features movement and dance created by Julia Cheng, and text created by the company, with writer Chua Ortiga and dramaturg Elayce Ismail.

UNTOLD is the winner of the Fedora Opera Prize 2023, as part of the HERE AND THERE project from O. Festival for Opera. Music. Theatre.

The production premiered at Concertgebouw Brugge, presented by Muziektheater Transparant, in April 2023, and then played at O. Festival in Rotterdam in May 2023.

For more information, please visit the O. Festival website here.

Creative Team

Concept, composition & musical direction: Alex Ho
Concept, direction & choreography: Julia Cheng

Dramaturgy: Elayce Ismail
Ye Xian text adaptation: Chua Ortiga

Set & lighting design: Peter Quasters
Costume design: Irina Shaposhnikova
Costume assistant: Sabrina Seifried
Sound design: Bart Celis
Creative Consultant: Aïda Gabriëls

Cast

Countertenor: Keith Pun
Dancer: Jasmine Chiu

Flute: Daniel Shao
Percussion: Joanne Chiang
Piano: Alex Ho
Yangqin: Mantawoman

Selected Reviews

This old story, a musical intermingling of East and West, becomes more than an eye-pleasing, intriguing and convincing performance. The piece is moreover deeply moving on a human level and allows a European audience to feel what it means to be part of a society that is not completely alien to you, but in which you never completely find your place. The work deservingly won the international Fedora Opera Prize this year.
PZAZZ

Video

Trailer for UNTOLD, captured at Concertgebouw Brugge, Belgium by Muziektheater Transparant, 2023: