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An American Soldier

May 12—19, 2024

Composed by Huang Ruo
Libretto by David Henry Hwang
Conducted by Carolyn Kuan
Directed by Chay Yew

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The New York Premiere of a soaring new opera based on a powerful true story.

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

Photo by Jai Lennard. David Lee, model.

Content Advisory

Contains depictions and references to racism, violence and derogatory language.

David Henry Hwang
An Asian Man with short dark hair that is styled to stick up in multiple directions stands in front of a dark grey backdrop. He has a salt and pepper five o clock shadow and is wearing a black t shirt
David Henry Hwang Librettist
Carolyn Kuan
An Asian woman with short hair wears a black blazer and smiles slightly
Carolyn Kuan Conductor
Huang Ruo
An Asian man with cropped black hair wears a blue button down shirt and is in front of a cream wall
Huang Ruo Composer
Chay Yew
An Asian man wears a dark grey blazer and a black t shirt
Chay Yew Director

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