On April 26, 2025, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre resonated with the emotional depth and historical gravity of Émigré— a moving oratorio composed by Aaron Zigman with libretto by Mark Campbell and additional lyrics by Brock Walsh. Conducted by the internationally renowned Maestro Long Yu, this performance marked the highly anticipated Hong Kong premiere of a powerful work that bridges continents, cultures, and generations.
A Story Rooted in History
Émigré tells the extraordinary, true-to-life story of two Jewish brothers who flee Nazi persecution in 1938, finding an unlikely haven in Shanghai — a city that offered refuge to over 20,000 Jews during World War II. Their journey is filled with hardship, hope, and cultural collision, made all the more complex when one brother falls in love with a local Shanghainese woman. Through this lens, the oratorio explores themes of displacement, identity, forbidden love, and survival, offering a poignant reminder of the enduring human capacity for resilience and connection.
A Cross-Cultural Ensemble
The Hong Kong performance brought together a world-class international cast including:
- Matthew White and Arnold Livingston Geis as Otto and Josef Bader
- Yu Guanqun (soprano) as Lina Song
- Zhu Huiling (mezzo-soprano) as Li Song
- Tian Haojiang (bass) as Wei Song
- Janai Brugger (soprano) as Tovah Odesska
- Andrew Dwan (bass-baritone) as Yaakov Bader
Accompanying them were the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus, and the Lanzhou Concert Hall Choir, who together created a sonorous and emotionally charged experience under Long Yu’s masterful direction.
A Global Composition with Local Relevance
Having already been staged in Shanghai, New York, and Berlin, Émigré continues its global journey with this Hong Kong performance — a city itself marked by narratives of migration, refuge, and resilience. Maestro Long Yu’s commitment to reviving and celebrating this chapter of history through music offers not only artistic brilliance but also a chance for cultural reflection and remembrance.