On March 2nd, the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall came alive as the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and the Pacific Symphony joined forces to present the ninth Lantern Festival, marking a triumphant conclusion. The fusion of modern and ancient elements created a continuous crescendo, igniting the enthusiasm of thousands in the audience.
This grand event inevitably evoked memories of the South Coast Chinese Orchestra's original musical production "Mulan" in 2019. Comprising four chapters, the production vividly portrayed Mulan's filial piety as she relinquished her identity as a daughter to bravely and wisely stand in for her father, embodying the highest ideals of traditional filial devotion. Furthermore, attendees fondly recalled the much-anticipated original musical "The Monkey King" presented by the orchestra and dance team during the during the Lantern Festival in 2023. With five chapters, the piece depicted the growth of a young monkey into a courageous hero, leaving an indelible image representing the essence of "courage" in Chinese tradition and a strong proclamation of the spirit of innovation.
Dancers danced the story of Mulan, who disguised herself as a man and joined the army.
舞者以舞蹈形式展現了木蘭女扮男裝從軍
Following this success, the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, led by conductor Mr. Bin He, pushed their artistic boundaries with the unveiling of the new musical production "Nezha," presented in six chapters. During this year's Lantern Festival celebration, fortunate attendees had a sneak peek into Nezha's narrative, revealing stirring stories showcasing Nezha's unwavering support for friends and justice, along with profound camaraderie. This performance foreshadows another groundbreaking masterpiece in the making.
Gymnasts use ribbons/gymnastics balls to show Nezha's figure
體操選手用彩帶/體操球展現哪吒的身姿
This trilogy of traditional original musicals belongs to the "Asian Virtues Series." The creative inspiration behind them stems from the belief that Asian culture is a crucial and indispensable part of America's diverse society, with Asian American identity at its core. The South Coast Chinese Cultural Center firmly believes that the "Asian Virtues Series" will play a key role in broader cultural dialogues, contributing to the promotion of cultural understanding. Therefore, we invite you to join us on October 12, 2024, at the Segerstrom Concert Hall, where we will premiere three new original works conducted and composed by Maestro Bin He. You are sure to have a rewarding experience, immersing yourself in the charm and virtues carried by these classic stories.
After the event, the audience enthusiastically shared their sentiments, leaving behind unforgettable memories. The Lantern Festival not only served as a cultural feast but also facilitated the exchange between Eastern and Western cultures, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese culture and allowing Asian-American excellence to shine, breathing new life into ancient celebrations in the modern era.
3月2日，Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall歡聚一堂，由南海岸中華文化中心與Pacific Symphony聯手呈獻的第九屆Lantern Festival成功落幕。現代與古老在此交融，演出的高潮不斷，讓數千名熱情觀眾為之沸騰。
這場盛會不禁讓觀眾們聯想到南海岸中華樂團於2019年推出的原創音樂劇《花木蘭》。這部作品共四個樂章，生動展現了木蘭的孝道精神，她放棄女兒的身份，堅強而智慧地替代父親，成為傳統孝道的最高詮釋。不僅如此，觀眾們還紛紛談及在去年的2023年元宵節，南海岸中華文化中心的樂團與舞蹈團隊帶來了备受期待的原創音樂劇《美猴王》。這部作品以五個樂章呈現小猴子從誕生到成為勇者的成長過程，為觀眾帶來一場感動至深的視聽盛宴。《美猴王》是中華传统中“勇”的代表之一，为后世留下了一个不朽的英雄形象，同時也是對勇氣和創新精神的強烈宣示。
The dancers interpret the scene where the father receives the military order and prepares to enter the military, while Mulan looks worried on the side
舞者詮釋父親收到軍令準備入軍營，木蘭在一旁一臉擔憂的場景
隨後，南海岸中華樂團與何彬老師挑戰極限，推出全新音樂劇《哪吒》，用六個樂章呈現這位中國神話英雄的義氣與勇氣。在今年的元宵慶典中，幸運的觀眾提前一睹《哪吒》的片段，通過一個個驚心動魄的故事，展現哪吒對朋友和正義的堅定支持以及深厚的義氣。這次公演預示著這部音樂劇將成為又一場震撼之作。活動結束後，觀眾紛紛分享著他們的感動，彼此間留下難以忘懷的美好回憶。
哪吒第六樂章講述和平歡樂的景象
The sixth movement of Nezha tells the scene of peace and joy
這三部傳統原創音樂劇全部屬於《亞裔美德系列》。其創作的原動力來自於相信亞裔文化是美國多元社會中非常重要且不可或缺的一份子，亞裔美德更是亞裔文化的核心。南海岸中華文化中心深信，《亞裔美德系列》會在更廣泛的文化對話中發揮關鍵的作用，為促進文化理解做出貢獻。因此，我們邀請您在2024年10月12日，讓我們再次歡聚在Segerstrom Concert Hall，首演全新呈現三部原創作品，指揮家何彬親自作曲及指揮。你一定會不虛此行，體驗經典故事所承載的魅力與美德。
Lantern Festival不僅是文化盛宴，更是東西方文化的交流，展現了中華文化的獨特魅力，同時讓亞裔美德在此刻綻放光彩，讓古老的節慶在現代焕發新光。