Cambodia’s First Rock Opera
Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), one of the three main non-profits that One Pearl supports, pulled off a magnificent world premiere of the first Cambodian rock opera, Where Elephants Weep, in Phnom Penh last weekend.
Cambodian composer Him Sophy, who survived the Khmer Rouge work camps and then studied music in Russia for 13 years, wrote a moving score that combines traditional Khmer instruments with modern-day sounds. The opera presents the story of two Cambodian-American men who return home, where they struggle to reconcile themselves with their country’s violent past and newly modern ways.
The opera had a trial run / test premiere in Lowell, Massachusetts in April 2007, which Brian and I were fortunate enough to attend. Lowell is home to the US’s 2nd largest Cambodian-American community, and the performance featured several of our friends. The opera itself is partly based on the life story of CLA’s founder, Arn Chorn Pond. When we were in Cambodia last fall, we were able to watch some of the music rehearsals. I’m sure the premiere in Phnom Penh was an incredible event, and I wish we could have been there for it.
“Where Elephants Weep” is the culmination of several years’ hard work by CLA, and especially John Burt, a major CLA donor and the opera’s executive producer. Congratulations to everyone involved! This show was a major step forward for the arts in Cambodia, and the attention it has received should inspire more interest in Cambodian arts and culture.
Here’s a link to CNN coverage of the Cambodian premiere:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/25/cambodia.opera/index.html
Congratulations again to everyone who worked so hard to make “Where Elephants Weep” the huge success that it has become.
