A pioneering new musical that combines musical theatre,
live classical music and visual art

Based on the memoirs of Jewish refugee musicians who escaped Nazi Germany and found refuge in Shanghai in the 1930s and ’40s, this musical shares how music helped them to survive the war and how they taught classical music to the local Chinese. 

 

The creators of Shanghai Sonatas honor the Shanghai Jewish refugee musicians from Germany and Austria, and the many others who traveled to China before them, and the Chinese who studied abroad, for bringing classical music to China.  

 

Today, China has millions of students learning classical music. We hope the unifying power of music will continue to spread to many other countries.

About

  • A two-act (140-min) musical for family audience ages 8 and up
  • Promotes classical music, AAPI history and art, Genocide & Holocaust awareness, unity and diversity
  • The music composed by Sean Gao is inspired by Jewish and Chinese traditional music, European classical music, and musical theatre
  • A theatrical concert version is available
  • Created by artists & historians from the U.S., China, and Europe
  • Violins of Hope and Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum Touring Exhibitions
  • Educational activities designed for classroom and community outreach

"songs of shanghai sonatas"

A concert production is available for touring, please contact Sean Gao 

at xiangg@udel.edu for booking information.

 
 

Characters

TAN HUA, former star of the Peking Opera in Shanghai.

 

MING-KAI (KAI KAI), Tan Hua’s son.

 

RACHEL, a classical violinist.

 

LEO, Rachel’s husband, a classical violinist.

 

ERNST, a classical violinist.

 

SAMMY, a jazz/classical musician.

 

MIRI, a dancer.

 

MADAM WU, a nightclub owner.

 

LI LI, a taxi dancer.

 

KANO GHOYA, Japanese overseer of the Ghetto.

 

PEI-JIN, Tan Hua’s husband.

 

HERMANN, a peddler.

 

LOTTE, a peddler, Hermann’s wife.

 

LAO SUN, a peddler.

 

WONG MA, a peddler, Lao Sun’s wife.

 

NIGHTCLUB EMPLOYEES and PATRONS; JAPANESE SOLDIERS; various JEWISH REFUGEES and CHINESE RESIDENTS of Shanghai

A theatrical concert version is available for chamber & orchestral music audiences.

Presented in partnership with

Shanghai Sonatas Foundation (USA)

Special Thanks


Sophie Fetthauer, University of Hamburg research scholar (on Shanghai Jewish refugee musicians)

Betty Grebenschikoff, Shanghai Jewish Refugee survivor and author of "Once my name was Sara"

Jane Klinger, Chief Conservator for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Susan Stroman, Tony award winning director and producer, University of Delaware alumna