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Huang Ruo: Book of Mountains and Seas and new album

Huang Ruo: Book of Mountains and Seas and new album

Huang Ruo’s newest theater work, Book of Mountains and Seas, premiered at the Royal Danish Theater on Nov. 3, 2021, by Ars Nova Copenhagen, Music Director Paul Hillier, Director/Puppetry Artist Basil Twist, and producer Beth Morrison Projects. The work of vocal-theater is scored for twelve singers and two percussionists for the innovative imagery and staging of Basil Twist. Casper Koeller of SCENEBLOG.DK raves, “Basil Twist's performance BOOK OF MOUNTAINS AND SEAS with Huang Ruo's tones in the mouth of Ars Nova Copenhagen, is the epitome of Feng Shui - the movements of life energy throughout the universe.”




Book of the Mountains and Seas (2021)

for vocal ensemble with percussion instruments
Libretto by Huang Ruo
WP: 3.11.2021, Copenhagen
Book of Mountains and Seas was commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects, Ars Nova (Copenhagen), Toronto Soundstreams, Koorbiennale, and Hong Kong New Vision Festival, and Linda & Stuart Nelson

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World premiere of Book of Mountains and Seas


Inspired by the 2400-year-old Chinese creation myths that share the same title, Huang Ruo’s Book of Mountains and Seas draws the listener into the wonder and awe of nature and its beginnings, while also warning us of our responsibility to care for the environment.

After its acclaimed world premiere in Copenhagen, Beth Morrison Project’s production of Huang Ruo’s work is slated for its US Premiere as a part of the Prototype Festival of contemporary opera in New York City in January of 2022. The performance will reprise the creative and performance team from the world premiere.


New album A Dust in Time released

The Del Sol Quartet released the world premiere recording of Huang Ruo’s A Dust in Time, a work for string quartet, with versions for string orchestra. A Dust in Time is a meditative, hour-long work inspired by Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas. The Del Sol Quartet’s recording climbed to #3 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Chart, and was highlighted by Joshua Barone in the New York Times article, “5 Classical Albums to Hear Right Now.” Released on Bright Shiny Things label, the album is currently available for purchase, stream, or download.








Photos: Ólafur Gestsson, Huang Ruo