Zolle (2005)

From Luzern Theatre Production. Direction and Costume by Roscha A Saidow

Libretto by Du Yun

About the Work

Duration: 55 mins

Female Voice, Narrator, Tenor, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, recorded ensemble, and electronics

Zolle, an opera-theatre narrative of a dead woman, wanders through the shadowy space between memory and reality, tracing the lines of her identity through the land she once walked: an immigrant in death as in life.

The libretto was written by the composer.

First Performance: October 27, 2005. The International Contemporary Ensemble and Du Yun

Directed by Lydia Steier

Performance 122 in New York City.

Chamber Orchestra version premiered at New York City Opera, VOX, May 2010
(New York City Opera Orchestra, Julian Wachner conducts )

Zolle was underwritten by the generous support from Jerome Foundation 

Listen to excerpts from the 2010 version from Vox New York City Opera Orchestra featuring a cast including soprano Hila Plitmann, mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn and tenor Brian Anderson, as featured on WQXR/ Q2 Muisic’s “Cued Up:”

Press

Listen Here: Original Post

Du Yun’s score employs spoken text as well as lyrical and dramatic vocal lines, and evokes the psychology of being an immigrant adapting to a new culture and land. Dangerous landscapes are depicted by dark timbres and ghostly trills. The cast includes soprano Hila Plitmann, mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn and tenor Brian Anderson. The libretto is by the composer.

Du Yun awarded the Centennial Medal at the Graduate School of Arts and Science of the Harvard University