Seeking founding supporters. A new 20-minute chamber opera about Anna May Wong, Hollywood's first Chinese American movie star, is in development. We're inviting underwriters, producing partners, and patrons to help bring it to the stage. See "Let's Talk" at the bottom of this page.
The Story
Anna May Wong broke into Hollywood in the silent era and became an international star — yet she spent her career fighting the roles the industry would and wouldn't give her because of her race. This opera follows her through that tension: the glamour of Golden Age Hollywood on one side, and on the other, the gap between who she was and how she was seen.
The music blends the lush sound world of classic Hollywood film scores with Daix Ai's own cross-cultural voice. The project draws inspiration from Lisa See's novel Shanghai Girls.
Why Now
Renewed recognition
In 2022, Anna May Wong became the first Asian American featured on U.S. currency, as part of the American Women Quarters program. Her story is reaching new generations.
A cultural moment
MOCA is preparing an Anna May Wong exhibition for 2027 — a natural partnership window for premiere and programming. [confirm before publishing]
An untold story on the opera stage
Opera audiences are hungry for new American stories. Anna May Wong's has never been told in this form.
The Work
Format | Chamber opera, approx. 20 minutes |
Music | Daix Ai |
Libretto | Dennis Yueh-Yeh Li |
Voices & ensemble | [add cast and instrumentation] |
Stage | [staging concept — e.g. Golden Age film set, projection] |
Status | In development |
Creative Team
Daix Ai — Composer
Composer, pianist, and doctoral candidate in composition at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Daix's work centers on cross-cultural narratives and erased histories, including the song cycle The Ghosts of Chinatown, premiered in 2026.
Dennis Yueh-Yeh Li — Librettist
Librettist of The Ghosts of Chinatown. [add short bio]
Family Advisor
Developed in conversation with a member of Anna May Wong's family. [confirm name and wording before publishing]
Development Roadmap
Phase | Milestone | Timing |
1 | Libretto and research (archive access) | [dates] |
2 | Composition | [dates] |
3 | Workshop reading with singers | [dates] |
4 | Premiere production | [target date / venue] |
5 | Touring and recording | [dates] |
The Budget
Area | Amount |
Commissioning fees (composer, librettist) | [$] |
Workshop (singers, musicians, space) | [$] |
Premiere production (cast, ensemble, direction, design) | [$] |
Archival research and rights | [$] |
Recording and documentation | [$] |
Marketing and outreach | [$] |
Total | [$] |
Ways to Support
Producing Partner
[$ amount]
Co-producer credit, premiere partnership, input on presentation and programming.
Underwriter
[$ amount]
Underwrite a specific phase — workshop, premiere, or recording — with named recognition.
Founding Patron
[$ amount]
Recognition in programs, invitations to the workshop reading and premiere, and behind-the-scenes updates.
[Note how contributions are processed — e.g. fiscal sponsor and tax-deductibility.]
Let's Talk
If you'd like to support this opera or explore a producing partnership, reach out through the contact page or email [your email]. A full proposal and the video presentation are available on request.