FUNKY folk tunes and ambient vibes give Chinese classical music a new twist in Chi2’s production of Monkey King – A Modern Beijing Opera, which comes to Richmix this week.
Chi2 are Barnet-born Chinese sisters Liz and Sarah Liew. Learning piano from the age of three, and violin aged five, Sarah went on to study at the Royal Academy, City University and The Guildhall. Meanwhile Liz attended The Purcell School (then in Harrow) and went on to study performing arts at Middlesex University.
Both performers and composers, the duo conceived the idea for the show, which fuses film and electro-acoustic music, eight years ago.
Shot in part on location in Beijing, Monkey King enjoyed a sell-out London launch show in December 2007 before touring in 2008. This new tour coincides with the release of their album Chi2 Presents Monkey King (Sun Wukong).
The story takes up the classic Chinese tale of the mischievious monkey, as explored in the Japanese ‘70s TV series Monkey and more recently Damon Albarn’s Monkey: Journey to the West.
When not writing opera scores and recording music, Chi2 tour and record with the likes of Lamb, Boy George, Goldfrapp and Nelly Furtado, Gnarls Barkley, KLF/Orb. As we speak, they are just back from touring with Moby.
“It’s been hectic but fun,” admits Liz. “We finished last week and went straight into the Monkey King tour.”
So does working with pop groups give them scope for creativity?
“Some artists let you have free rein while others just want you to come up with the string arrangements. With Moby we arrange our own string parts and adapt these for the cellist so it’s an organic process. We can improvise a lot in that setting acoustically.”
Chi2 have also found time to explore the history of opera in Beijing.
“Bejing Opera is well-rounded, it’s not just told through music; it’s a fascinating 200-year-old art form.”
The Monkey King – A Modern Beijing Opera comes to Richmix in Shoreditch on October 2 and 3. Tickets: 020 7613 7498.
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