Multimedia Chamber Operatic Poem ‘or/and’ Debuts at Asia Society Texas

HOUSTON, October 14, 2022 — The multimedia chamber operatic poem or/and made its world premiere at Asia Society Texas over two nights on September 23–24. Composed by Shih-Hui Chen and written by Monique Truong, the production directed by Doug Fitch used innovative music and lyrics with sophisticated stage production to convey its story, both audibly and visually.

A panel discussion followed the performances on both nights, with the creative team speaking on the conceptual brainstorming and aspects of the production, as well as overcoming the hurdles of planning a complex in-person performance via remote virtual meetings.

The story centers on the journey of a character called the Composer, who struggles to find peace in her identity while creating a new work. She focuses on what she experienced from two recent events that she took part in: a sacred ceremony of the indigenous Paiwan people in her birthplace of Taiwan, and the 2017 Women’s March in Houston, Texas, her new home. Feeling stuck, the Composer cannot come to terms with the personal contradictions of her identity, rooted in these two places. Only by using music to convey her emotions does she learn to connect with different communities to help understand her frustrations.

In addition to trying to find a way to self-acceptance, the Composer also wants to share her experiences with her only daughter, Lia, as she heads to college, but can’t seem to find the right words. The Composer later understands that we need to accept each other for who we are, embracing the “and” over the “or” and our connections over divisions. This is the message she decides to convey to her daughter.

On the stage, the Composer works within a room made of translucent screens, on which are projected images that reflect her interior state: the lyrics she is struggling to form, video footage from the Paiwan ceremony and the Women’s March, and memories of her daughter growing up. The music incorporates a variety of forms and influences from East Asia as well as traditional opera, while seamlessly weaving in unexpected elements such as toy instruments, pre-recorded sounds, and a lullaby.

Creative Team
Composer: Shih-Hui Chen
Librettist: Monique Truong
Director: Doug Fitch
Soprano: Lini Gong
Visual Artist: Tim McLoraine
Lighting Designer: Nicholas Houfek
Sound Editor: Jake Sandridge

soundSCAPE Musicians
Flute: Lisa Cella
Clarinet: Joshua Rubin
Violin: Mark Fewer
Cello: Felix Fan
Percussion: Aiyun Huang 

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.