Livestreamed for free
David Alan Miller, Heinrich Medicus Music Director
Dai Wei: CANTON TEA MAN’s TALE (world premiere)
Albany Symphony Musicians
Jamecyn Morey, Violin I
Mitsuko Suzuki, Violin II
Dan Brye, Viola
Erica Pickhardt, Cello
This piece explores the journey of Oong Ar-Showe, a Chinese merchant who skillfully navigated the economic and social landscape of 19th-century America, likely becoming the first Chinese naturalized citizen in the U.S. His story embodies not only his entrepreneurial spirit but also deeper themes of identity, belonging, and cultural exchange, as he bridged two worlds during a transformative era in history. Part of the text is based on old newspaper advertisements, generously shared with me by Craig William, for which I am deeply grateful. I selected key ads for tea shops along the Erie Canal, deliberately scrambling their timelines to both highlight the vast reach of Ar-Showe's tea enterprise and evoke the sense of movement and ambition that fueled his journey—mirroring the fluid, ever-changing path of someone striving for success in a foreign land. In an era when Eastern faces were rarely seen, Ar-Showe cleverly capitalized on his unique cultural identity, standing out in the competitive tea trade and establishing a distinctive tea culture. Having lived in the United States for ten years, I now deeply understand what a sense of belonging means to us. Ar-Showe seemed like a man of the 1800s with a vision for 2024. His presence extended beyond selling tea—he crafted an experience centered on authenticity, culture, and personal connection. Wherever he went, from Albany to Rochester and beyond, he brought not only his renowned Chinese tea but also a sense of wonder, as his Chinese heritage intertwined with the American landscape.
-Dai Wei September 2024, Princeton, NJ
A livestream of a no-audience performance at Waterloo features composer Dai Wei, whose piece explores the journey of Oong Ar Showe, a Chinese merchant who adeptly navigated the economic and social landscape of 19th-century America, emphasizing the crucial role of the Erie Canal in facilitating interregional trade.
