Synopsis

The year is 1940. The Steinburgs, a family of Viennese Jewish refugees, disembark a ship in Shanghai, China. Forced to move into a ghettoized district by Japanese forces under Nazi influence, the Steinburgs meet their neighbors, the Ye family, who have suffered unimaginable loss since the beginning of the Japanese occupation. In spite of fear-based prejudice, language barriers, and the constant threat of violence, the two families fight to survive and develop relationships with one another in ways that will change them all forever. The music of the piece reflects the collision of the families’ two worlds, taking influence from both Viennese and Chinese classical music. The Garden Bridge is a story of community, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.