Los Angeles Jewish Symphony

Shanghai Sonatas

From March 16-18, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills presented the World Premiere of a new musical, Shanghai Sonatas, by the distinguished composer and pedagogue Sean (Xiang) Gao with our amazing Maestra Green guest-conducting the ensemble for the evening performances.

This work shares the legacy of the Jewish classical musicians who found safety in Shanghai during the Holocaust. The extraordinary music that emerged from these refugees and their Chinese musical students flourished into a tradition of classical music in China that continues today.

Maestra Green with the cast at the afterparty
Maestra Green conducting the first half
Neal Mayer, Stephanie Lynne Mason, Adam Shapiro, Drew McVety, Juliet Petrus, Xiaoqing Zhang, Ethan Le Phong, Julian Remulla, Cáitlín Burke, Sara LaFlamme and Anzi Debenedetto and Maestra Green
Stephanie Lynne Mason, Adam Shapiro, Neal Mayer, Juliet Petrus
Noreen Green, Guest Conductor

Photography by: THE WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

PRESS

‘Shanghai Sonatas’ Receives World Premiere: Displaced Jews and Chinese under Japanese Occupation
Article by Eric A. Gordon of People’s World
March 28, 2023

“Shanghai Sonatas” Concert Shines Light on Bond Between Chinese Musicians and Jewish Holocaust Refugees
Article by Brian Fishbach of Jewish Journal
March 18, 2023

Untold Holocaust Story “Shanghai Sonatas” to Appear at The Wallis
Article by Clara Harter of Beverly Hills Courier
March 9, 2023