About
Welcome to Shanghai! Don't let the heat get you down, for a lost soul in the late 1930s, this is the only place that'll take you!
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Shanghai Sonatas explores the remarkable exchange of cultures between Jewish refugees escaping Nazis and their Chinese hosts. Framed by the fading glamour of this “Paris of the East” and the urgency to escape violent prejudice, stories of survival, moments of compassion, forbidden love, and – above all – beautiful music bring these two communities closer than ever before.
“We tell a story about people in a city where they never expected theyʼd belong.Ë®
Promoting the unifying power of music on all peoples, Shanghai Sonatas is gaining international attention and support for its universal themes of belonging, unity, and hope. Its music is an inventive new fusion of styles and instruments, featuring kuaiban rap and traditional Chinese instruments playing in tandem with the violin to produce a new sound for the stage.
“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.Ë®
- Confucius (510 BC)
Our Mission
With five guiding principles of Unity, Diversity, Partnership, Engagement, and Impact, Shanghai Sonatas Foundation promotes East-West cultural understanding and exchange by supporting performing art productions including the new American musical "Shanghai Sonatas" and 6-WIRE ensembles, featuring world-class creative and performing artists.
Plot trailer as of Jan 2024
Our Partners/Supporters
(as of June, 2024)
