.  Anticipating that most of us (90 strong) would be arriving in San Francisco a day ahead, we planned our banquette on the evening of November 13.  Taking into account the ease of transportation, quality of food, and space to accommodate our large group, we decided to go with R & G Lounge at the edge of Chinatown.  For accommodation we again chose to stay at The Standford Hotel, like we did for the premiere of Dream of the Red Chamber in 2016.

November 13, 2025 – Some of us arrived in San Francisco two days ahead of the premiere for various reasons, and throughout the day on November 13 many of us arrived.  Ahead of 6 many of us had already arrived at R & G Lounge, ready to welcome many members of the creative team of Monkey King as well as some of the singers.  An anticipatory and festive air already surrounded us.  We greeted each other as if we were old friends, when in truth it was our first meeting!  The Opera had already bound us together.  With the artists seated among our tables, there were many animated conversations, and much laughter, going on throughout our private room.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our carefully selected menu:

大拼盤 {叉烧 椒盐鮮尤 火鴨} platter of appetizers: BBQ pork, salt & pepper squid, roast duck

鷄茸燕窝羹premium minced chicken with birds’ nest soup

竹生銀絲卷 Bamboo Fungus Vermicelli Rolls

豉油皇龍蝦 lobster with premium soy sauce 

碧绿鮮包魚 Braised fresh Abalone with Tender Jade Greens

香焗銀雪魚 Oven-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass

玫瑰豉油鷄 Rose Dew Soy Chicken

清湯牛肉煲 Braised Beef Short Ribs with Turnip broth

鮮什菌煎面 mushroom chow mien Hong Kong style 

甜品 紅豆糕 coconut milk/red bean cake

After the scrumptious dinner and with everyone in a satisfying mood, we invited all the artists to speak to us,  Huang Ruo and spoke first about his aspirations for the opera, bringing an Asian hero to life.  He was followed by costume designer Anita Yavich, Chinese opera specialist Jaime Guan, singers Joo Won Kang/Lord Erlang, Konu Kim/Jade Emperor/ Baoyu in the 2022 Revival of Dream of the Red Chamber, dancer Huiwang Zhang/Monkey King.  Everyone spoke to the joy and honor of being part of the momentous undertaking that SF Opera has committed itself to.  Working on an all-Asian team on a production based on a Chinese novel was something that had great personal meaning for all of them.  All too soon it was time for all of them to depart to rest well before the big world premiere the next day.

Photo album