LILY: Interweaving Dementia Awareness, Music Reminiscence and Opera Creation
The Lily project stems from the research on the correlation between singing and the delay of the onset of dementia (Feng et al., 2020), and aims to raise social awareness of dementia. Composer Chen Zhangyi will present on the interwoven process of creating LOSING LILY, a chamber opera about dementia and music. Dr Wong Su Sun, co-creator of the story and soprano of the title role, will perform excerpts from the opera, accompanied by pianist Dr Frances Lee.
LOSING LILY (2024), with multilingual text written by playwright Jean Tay, tells a poignant story of the human mind – from brushes with forgetfulness in early-onset dementia to heart-wrenching moments of not recognising loved ones. The story unfolds across three scenes, with a trio of characters – the Singer (Lily), the Son, and the Caregiver.
Assoc Prof Chen Zhangyi
The music of Chen Zhangyi has been described as “music from a voice of the future” by BBC Radio 3 and “a breath of fresh air on our musical landscape” by The Straits Times. His chamber operas often explore Singaporean socio-cultural themes, for instance in A Singapore Trilogy, Kampung Spirit, and Lily. Nature is another source of inspiration, as seen in works such as Rainforest Refrains, Vanda, and Rain Tree.
Chen serves as Associate Professor of Analysis and Composition at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Occasionally, he conducts and performs on the violin/viola. He is a founding member of Red Dot Baroque.
YST Conservatory of Music
Dr Wong Su Sun
Soprano, co-presenter
Dr Frances Lee
Pianist