The Monkey King

Name: The Monkey King
Brand: Schott Music
SKU: 792507
Availability: InStock

Opera in Two Acts

Libretto by David Henry Hwang

Edition: Performance material

Product Type

Hire Order

Product Details

Description

The Monkey King (the character is also known as Sun Wukong) has inspired countless interpretations in popular culture. Based on the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, the opera combines music and text with puppetry, dance, Peking opera, and Buddhist sutras to tell the adventure-filled tale of this legendary and beloved figure who was born from stone and strove against the odds to find the secret to immortality.

Orchestral Cast

2.2.2.2-2.2.2.1-hp.pipa(preferred but optional)-2perc-str(min. 10.8.6.6.4)

Cast

Monkey King · tenor - Guanyin · soprano - Subhuti-Buddha · bass-baritone - Jade Emperor · high-tenor - Ao Guang/Lord Erlang · baritone - Crab General/Venus Star · mezzo-soprano - Supreme Lord Laozi · bass - Monkey King · dancer/Chinese opera actor - Lord Erlang/Other Dance Rolls · dancer

More Information

Title:

The Monkey King

Opera in Two Acts

Libretto by David Henry Hwang

based on the novel “Journey to the West” by Wu Chengen

Language:

Chinese, English

Edition:

Performance material

Level of difficulty:

intermediate

Publisher/Label:

Schott Music

Year of composition:

2025

Duration:

120 ′0 ′′

World Premiere:

November 14, 2025 · San Francisco, CA (USA)
War Memorial Opera House
Conductor: Carolyn Kuan · San Francisco Opera Orchestra · Choir director: John Keene
Original staging: Diane Paulus · Costumes: Anita Yavich · Set design: Sara C. Walsh
(scenic)

Commissioned work :

Commissioned by the San Francisco Opera, with additional funding supports by the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota