AWAKENING

March 20, 21, & 22, 2024

the cell theatre

Created and directed by Abagael Cheng and Sadie Spivey

CAST

Abagael Cheng, soprano

Sadie Spivey, soprano

YoonJung Hwang, violin

Ava Linvog, piano

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

AWAKENING is a staged, collaborative song recital inspired by the tradition of protest music. This intimate, original program of songs, chamber works, and spoken poetry centers themes of rebellion and solidarity and poses the question: what does freedom look like to you? Spanning five languages (Chinese, English, French, German, and Persian), AWAKENING addresses social injustices of gender, race, and class through an international lens. When we acknowledge the illusions of the Western, capitalist, imperialist system, we open the door to join in the collective movement for creating a radical, community-centered world. Through a range of stories, from heroism to survival to friendship, this recital serves as an invitation to unpack the societal structures imposed upon our minds and move towards structures of connection, joy, and love. 

This program features works by György Kurtág, Eve Beglarian, Gilda Lyons, Juhi Bansal, among others, as well as three world premiere chamber works by Iranian composer Nastaran Yazdani, UK composer Angela Elizabeth Slater, and American composer Kait Warner. Featured spoken texts include a new poem written by Bee Gilmore for this performance, as well as a recently published poem by Palestinian-American author George Abraham.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Chinese American soprano Abagael Cheng (she/her) is a singing artist who strives to break the boundaries of classical performance and bring social activism to the forefront of her work. She works towards deepening relationships within and between communities by engaging audiences with relatable narratives and centering collaboration in her productions. She creates unique stories by combining song, spoken poetry, and movement in her semi-staged recitals to foster an atmosphere of community, growth, and vulnerability. Most recently, Cheng premiered chamber works at Creative Dialogue France under the mentorship of Lucy Shelton, and sang in the annual Kurtág Festival at Bard College as a soloist in Messages of the late R. V. Troussova. During the 2022 season, she was featured in the world premiere of The Final Veil (Cabaret Soloist) by JL Marlor at the cell theatre, as well as Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (Chocholka) at The Fisher Center at Bard. A New York City-based artist, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Oberlin College & Conservatory. She recently completed her Master’s degree in the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard College Conservatory of Music.

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Sadie Spivey (she/her) has been recognized for her diverse performance abilities as a vocal artist and as an actor. Whether it is creating new work or giving a unique voice to established repertoire, she believes that stories help us feel seen and heard, fulfilling our innate desire to connect. Collaboration and storytelling are at the forefront of her artistry. Sadie is a recent graduate of Bard Conservatory, where she obtained her Master’s in Vocal Arts. During her time at Bard, she performed the Vixen in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, as well as Fleta in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe. An avid recitalist, Sadie most recently performed her graduate recital, Dream and Variations, wherein she premiered “Dream Songs” by Scott Eggert, which was written for her in 2022. As a lover of opera and musical theatre, Sadie returned to The Ohio Light Opera this past summer as a Resident Artist, singing Guenevere in Camelot and Nanette in No, No, Nanette. During the 2022 summer season, she performed Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Luisa in The Fantasticks with OLO.

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Yoon Jung Hwang (she/her) is a NYC-based violinist and violist from Korea. As a chamber musician, she has been featured at the Montclair Music Club and as string quartet musician with the Cell Theater's recent production of The Final Veil. Orchestral performances have seen her on the Holland America Line Rotterdam with RWS Entertainment, premiering works with the Next Festival of Emerging Artists and Composers Concordance, and repeat appearances at Birdland with clarinetist/saxophonist Ken Peplowski. She has appeared at the Aspen and Lake Tahoe Music Festivals, the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, the Kinhaven Young Artists Seminar, and the inaugural Philadelphia Inclusive Arts Festival. Yoon Jung works as a teaching artist with the Bronx Arts Ensemble and is on the violin faculty at the Crestwood Music Education Center in Scarsdale. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at New York University.

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Ava Linvog is a New York City-based pianist who specializes in operatic repertoire and new music. Locally, Ava is in demand as an accompanist and vocal coach, and holds a staff position at Mannes School of Music. She has worked as a repetiteur with North Carolina Opera, Regina Opera, and the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center. Upcoming engagements include Opera Omaha and a series of art-song recitals in New York City. Ava holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Vassar College. A Seattle native, she returns to the mountains whenever she’s able.

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SPECIAL THANKS:

Nehemiah Rolle, Production Consultant

Andrew Bisdale, Photographer

Megan Gillis, City Lyric Opera Executive Director

Mary Rice, City Lyric Opera Marketing Director

Marissa Moultrie, City Lyric Opera Development Director

Sydney Anderson, volunteer

Rachelle Pike, volunteer