Composers Gang Chen and Zhanhao He collaborated to bring us “The Butterfly Lovers,” a stunning violin concerto that tells the ancient Chinese tale of one young woman’s defiance of societal expectations and a love so powerful that it transcends death. But amidst a rapid change in China’s political climate in the mid-1960s, this piece and the music of other prolific composers were suddenly met with violent rejection, and Chen and He found themselves in prison. Today, this piece is widely recognizable in China, but remains largely unknown in the West. Join us as we explore “The Butterfly Lovers” in its entirety on Friday’s program.
Of Note for Friday, August 7, 2015: Composers Collaborate on "The Butterfly Lovers"
