Singer

He’s arrogant. He’s disobedient. He’s becoming the most powerful being in creation, and he’s about to wreak havoc on heaven.

Based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, The Monkey King makes its much-anticipated world premiere at the War Memorial Opera House. This new, action-packed opera combines high-energy music and text with puppetry, dance, Peking opera, and Buddhist sutras to tell the tale of the Monkey King’s beginnings.

The Monkey King is a beloved figure and has inspired countless interpretations in popular culture. A monkey born from stone, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) is determined to find immortality for his tribe. Many scoff at his aspirations, but he is set on proving them wrong with his signature cunning and charm. He wins every battle against legendary warriors, but the respect he longs for is always out of reach. What will it take for the gods to recognize him as an equal?

Award-winning director Diane Paulus and puppeteer Basil Twist conjure up a whimsical world of gods, tricksters, superheroes, and rebels. Huang Ruo’s soaringly beautiful, energized score and David Henry Hwang’s incisive libretto blend traditional Chinese and contemporary Western styles into an extraordinary work that gives new voice to this enduring story. Carolyn Kuan makes her Company debut on the podium.

EPSG:4326

The Monkey King

War Memorial Opera House

An exceptional vocal program, featuring arias and choruses from the finest gems of French opera: to be savored in Paris, while we wait for Shanghai!

Orchestre de Paris / Xu Zhong

Philharmonie de Paris

Pachamama is the word for Mother Earth in the Inca-Quechua language. The ode that Pachamama meets is from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Along with it is a connection to the Industrial Revolution of Beethoven’s time. Composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s message is that “Gifts from the past—especially odes—must be looked at with new and searching eyes.”

Soprano

Mei Gui Zhang

Events

Upcoming events

10 - 11 Jan, 2026

Orchestre de Paris / Xu Zhong · Orchestre de Paris

19 - 21 Mar, 2026

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 · Minnesota Orchestra

16 - 18 Apr, 2026

Mozart’s Requiem · New Jersey Symphony

Past events

14 - 30 Nov, 2025

The Monkey King · San Francisco Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Guanyin in The Monkey King by Ruo

San Francisco Opera

About

Mei Gui Zhang hasn't added a bio