Project In Brief

  • Metropolis Ensemble partnered with 100+ artists to develop, co-produce, and premiere a new theatrical work.

  • Metropolis participated in the tour of Bangsokol at venues across the United States, Australia, France, and Cambodia.

  • In 2020, Bangsokol was released as a studio album and inspired a virtual festival with a new Metropolis commissioned work.

  • “It was a flawless work of art and deservedly received a standing ovation as the ultimate image we were left with are the vivid colors of a triumphant culture rising like the phoenix from the flames as the older generation teaches the young to sing.” (Huffington Post)

 
Project Partners
 
 

Commissioning Project

2010—2017
  • Metropolis partnered with Cambodian Living Arts to develop, co-produce, and premiere a new theatrical work — fusing film, music, and traditional dance and musical arts — to address the traumas of Khmer Rouge, the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s
  • The Bangsokol commissioning project was created by renowned composer Him Sophy and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rithy Panh
  • Creative team also included music director Andrew Cyr, choreographer Belle Sodhachivy, libbretist Trent Walker, and staging director Gideon Obarzanek
 
 

Bangsokol Concert Tour

December 16–20, 2017 at BAM and Emerson Center
  • U.S. premiere of Bangsokol as part of BAM Next Wave Festival (Brooklyn) and ArtsEmerson (Boston)
  • Specially formed hybrid orchestra with Metropolis Ensemble, Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and traditional Khmer vocalists and instruments led by conductor Andrew Cyr
  • The concert toured to Australia (Melbourne Festival), France (Cite de la Musique), and Cambodia
  • “The ending is far from bleak… performers celebrate and teach two children traditional Cambodian dance, while the chorus sings.” —New York Times
 
 

Album Release

Released May 20, 2020 on Entertain Impact
  • Recorded at National Sawdust (Brooklyn), the one-hour symphonic work features Metropolis Ensemble, Cambodian Ensemble, Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and Andrew Cyr (conductor)
  • “Bangsokol stands on its own as an extraordinary musical experience that brings cultures and people together.” —Variety
 
 

Arts and Healing Festival

December 12–20, 2020 via YouTube
  • A series of online performances, talks, screenings with artists from six countries inspired by Bangsokol
  • Metropolis was commissioned to present the world premiere of "(Un)Wandering Souls" from composer Vivian Fung with Sandbox Percussion
 
 
 

More Projects

Take an in-depth look at Metropolis Ensemble projects over the years.