Ga Sho
Composed by Pete M. Wyer
libretto by melissa salmons AND Pete M. Wyer
with additional music from
Ngawang Sangdrol and Tenzin Choegyal
Ga Sho is an original immersive theater experience into the life of a teenage Tibetan nun who challenges the Chinese government with an act of peaceful protest that condemns her to years of brutal torture in prison. She survives by holding close to her sung mantras, her memories of family, her devotion to her fellow prisoners… and her belief that her torturers are her greatest teachers in the practice of compassion.
Inspired by a true story, Ga Sho (which translates to “May You Be Loved”) is a timely reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the unifying power of song, and how revolutions can be fought by showing love to your greatest enemy.
In the 90-minute drama, a theater-in-the-round staging surrounds a raised platform where the Tibetan nun, Tsering is confined to her prison cell. Alone in her solitary confinement, the only live interaction she has is with the Commander of the Drapchi prison and Dechen, an opportunistic thief, while behind the scenes an American diplomat works for her release.
A fully-immersive 24 channel spatial audio design surrounds the audience with a fusion of Western opera, Asian-pop music, and authentic chanting of Tibetan monks and instruments that transform the space from the harsh external realities of Tsering’s prison life to her inner spiritual world.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Laura Virella
GIVE NOW TO THE CREATION OF
“GA SHO”
“Prison became our nunnery and the prison guards were our gurus. The Buddha taught that an enemy is the best teacher, because only when someone is cruel to you can you truly be tested on your practice of compassion toward all sentient beings.”
MEDIA
CREATORS
ARTISTIC TEAM - PREMIERE
Culture & Outreach Team
PRESS
“Although the opera is still a work in progress, Wyer’s score and libretto are off to a stunning start … inventive mixture of Western music with traditional Tibetan sounds … Wyer is fortunate to have the support of American Opera Projects, an organization that excels at producing new works by contemporary composers.” — Gwarlingo.com
Information
Duration 90' / no intermission
Commission Developed by The American Opera Project. Currently seeking co-commissioners and presenters for World Premiere run (2022-24).
Premiere 2024, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czechia
Roles Live cast of 6 - 4 singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass-baritone), 2 non-singing roles; additional performers on film and recorded audio design.
Instrumentation Ga Sho features a twenty four channel, cutting edge soundscape of music and audio design, delivering virtual characters and instruments. These are pre-set and do not require additional performers. No live instrumentation required.
Publisher Staged performances of this work require licensing through the creators.
Development Artists Hirona Amamiya, Brittany Fowler, Hidenori Inoue, Maren Montalbano, Daniel Neer, Mila Henry (Workshop Music Director)