LAFPI

A new opera about an American family wrongfully imprisoned in 1942 and the power of collective resistance to injustice.

Libretto by Lionelle Hamanaka

Music by Daniel Kessner

Directed by Diana Wyenn

Conducted by Steve F. Hofer

Featuring Roberto Perlas Gómez, Alexandra Bass, Tiffany Ho, Habin Kim, Patrick Tsoi-A-Sue, Sarah Z. Wang, Steve Moritsugu, Hisato Masuyama, Krishna Raman, Jamie Sanderson, and Dennis Rupp.

In 1942, during World War II, 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry—two-thirds of whom were American citizens—were unjustly incarcerated in concentration camps within the United States.

Created by librettist Lionelle Hamanaka, a descendant of camp survivors, and composer Daniel Kessner, this world premiere contemporary opera tells the moving story of the Shimono family, Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their suburban home in Southern California. After Mas, a fisherman and the head of the household, is arrested by the FBI on suspicion of espionage, the family is reunited in a desolate incarceration camp. As the family struggles to survive the emotional and physical toll of their wrongful imprisonment, this poignant, new opera illuminates the remarkable strength of familial bonds and the power of collective resistance in the face of injustice.

Performed in English, this captivating production directed by Diana Wyenn features an ensemble of eleven gifted singers performing with a twenty-two-member orchestra conducted by Steve F. Hofer.

Language: English

Run Time: Two hours and fifteen minutes, including one 15-minute intermission

Presented in partnership with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.

To learn how you can support, click here. The team behind The Camp is dedicated to ensuring this production is financially accessible to everyone. For general inquiries or to inquire about subsidized ticket options if you are experiencing financial hardship or have been impacted by the recent wildfires, please email [email protected].