Join the London Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling with "Tangram x LSO: Bound/Unbound," premiering on Friday, 9 August 2024, and Saturday, 10 August 2024, at Jerwood Hall, LSO St Luke’s. This groundbreaking performance, starting at 7:30 pm on both nights, promises to be a captivating blend of new music and movement, exploring the poignant stories of two 19th-century Chinese heroines, Afong Moy and Qiu Jin.

Afong Moy, known as the first Chinese woman in America, and Qiu Jin, a revolutionary poet and swordswoman, come to life in this symphonic dance and protest against the patriarchal world into which they were born. Their tales of being bound and unbound not only depict their personal struggles but also reflect broader themes of cultural and physical constraints.

The performance, lasting approximately two hours with a 20-minute interval, features an ensemble of talented artists including Haegee Lee (soprano), Yining Chen (dancer), Beibei Wang (percussion), and musicians from the LSO. Directed and composed by Alex Ho and Sun Keting, with choreography by Yining Chen and visual design by Chang Meng and Ke Peng, this production is based on an original script by Xiaolu Guo.

Tickets are priced at £25 and £20 (concessions available), with a £1.50 booking fee for online or phone transactions. This premiere is a collaboration between Tangram and the LSO, generously supported by the Bagri Foundation, and promises an evening of powerful theatricality, innovative storytelling, and dazzling instrumental displays.

Before the performance, and during the interval, the Crypt Bar will be open for hot and cold drinks, accepting card payments only. Ensure a seamless visit by familiarizing yourself with the venue's accessibility options and what to expect during your time at LSO St Luke’s.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the innovative fusion of music, dance, and narrative with "Tangram x LSO: Bound/Unbound." Book your tickets now for a journey through the lives of women who defied the bounds of their time.

Tangram x LSO: Bound/Unbound

St Luke's Lutheran Church

Growing up with bound feet in the feudal Qing Dynasty, Afong Moy in 1834 became the first Chinese woman to be brought to America, where she was displayed before the public as a ‘Chinese Curiosity’. Half a century later, Qiu Jin, a young revolutionary, challenged the stifling Manchu culture and changed the fate of women by unbinding her feet and taking up the art of sword fighting. Poet, author of manifestos, and leader of a revolutionary community, Qiu Jin was determined to save her country from the corrupt Qing government. These two women, bound and unbound, together compose a symphonic dance, a protest against the world of patriarchy into which they were born.

LSO St Luke's

Alex Ho is blessed with a boundless imagination, a strikingly individual and authentic creative voice and the ability to channel diverse musical materials into utterly coherent compositions. Wigmore Hall’s Alex Ho Focus Day opens with a recital of the British Chinese composer’s piano works performed by Junyan Chen, a multiple prize-winner at the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition. Her programme reveals the generous measure of wit and heartfelt expression present within Ho’s art.

Alex Ho

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 21, 2026

Junyan Chen piano · Wigmore Hall

Past events

9 - 10 Aug, 2024

Tangram x LSO: Bound/Unbound · London Symphony Orchestra Ltd

9 - 10 Aug, 2024

Tangram x LSO: Bound/Unbound · Barbican Centre

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