“Inspired by a Chinese folk tale...librettist Tien has added a twist of her own.”
The story of the
great
Lunar New Year race,
told as a contemporary opera, for the delight of all ages.
A commission of Houston Grand Opera in partnership with Asia Society Texas Center, The Big Swim is a contemporary fable that fuses diverse influences into a single, compelling whole. Composer Meilina Tsui and librettist Melisa Tien have crafted a witty, heartwarming one-act opera that intentionally crosses boundaries between the traditional and modern, Eastern and Western, and classical and non-classical. In a new retelling, the 12 animals learn that fierce competition is not as crucial as caring for and supporting one another, side by side.
Performances took place February 16-18, 2024. For more information, please visit the production webpage.