The Ghosts of Chinatown — Presenting Package

The Work

The Ghosts of Chinatown is a large-scale song cycle for baritone, viola, and piano that returns to one of the most violent and least-remembered nights in American history: the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of October 24, 1871, when a mob killed Chinese residents of the city's old Chinatown.

Through a cast of characters — Owing, Ching Chong, Wing, the Photographer, and the Tong Fighter — the cycle moves from Prelude to Funeral, ending in an arc that travels from a photographer's dark room to a funeral procession. A historical photograph installation surrounds the performance, so audiences encounter the faces and streets of 1870s Chinatown alongside the music.

The piece is part of a larger body of work by composer Daix Ai centered on cross-cultural narratives and erased histories.

At a Glance

Full Production

Complete song cycle with the historical photograph installation and lighting. Ideal for performing arts centers, festivals, and concert halls.

Concert Presentation

The song cycle with projected images in place of the full installation. Suited to recital halls, churches, and university venues.

Residency

Performance plus community programming: composer talkback, masterclass, student workshop, or a conversation with local historians and AAPI community organizations.