Long Yu conducts Aron Zigman's Émigré

04 MAY 2024: Long Yu conducts the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and a hand-picked cast in composer Aaron Zigman's new oratorio, Émigré.

STAGE+ and Deutsche Grammophon present highly acclaimed conductor Long Yu, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus and a hand-picked cast in composer Aaron Zigman's new oratorio, Émigré. Zigman, who was personally contacted by Long Yu created a matchless oratorio featuring lyrics by Grammy-winner Mark Campbel and combining classical music with influences of klezmer, Chinese traditional as well as dance music.

Telling a sweeping tale of love and loss, Émigré follows the story of two brothers fleeing Germany in 1938 to Shanghai and their coming to terms with their new lives. Filmed at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, this US premiere is the only staged performance of this unique co-commission between the Shanghai Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic and Long Yu, who gained countless international awards for his work on cultural understanding.

Zigman’s career as a film composer was launched in 2000 when director Nick Cassavetes heard his symphonic tone poem entitled Rabin (1994). Zigman and Cassavetes have since collaborated on six films. After composing more than 60 Hollywood soundtracks, including The Proposal (2009), Sex and the City I & II (2008 and 2010), The Company Men (2010), and Wakefield (2016), Zigman shared his creative energy with the classical music world with Tango Manos (2019), a concerto for piano and orchestra and now Émigré.

English title Émigré
Recording location Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, NY
Production year 2024
Conductor Long Yu
Composer Aaron Zigman
Libretto Mark Campbel
Orchestra / Band New York Philharmonic