"Never Forget 1871" is a musical retelling of the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871, one of the darkest chapters in LA history. The performance is written and produced by award-winning composer Nathan Wang. Through the performance,

the lives and experiences of Chinese immigrants who lived, worked, and built a community in 19th-century LA are explored. Using music and storytelling to create an emotional, immersive experience, the production invites audiences to reflect on the lasting consequences of discrimination and race-based violence while recognizing the continued importance of remembrance, education, and community storytelling.

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The production features an all-Chinese American cast and an ensemble that incorporates both Western and traditional Chinese instruments. This combination bridges the past and present, offering a compelling, artistic experience that invites

audiences to engage with a moment of dark history.

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The performance was originally commissioned in 2023 as part of the Smithsonian Institution's "Reckoning with Our Racial Past" initiative and originally included an ensemble of 10 musicians and 18 youth talents. The musicians included: Nathan Wang (composer and piano), Zhengyi Bai (tenor), Haocheng Sun (baritone), Shelly Ren (violin), Hui-Ping Lee (violin), Coco Yanan Hu (cello), Tie Bai (clarinet), Su She (guzheng), Xiaobo Li (erhu), and Simon Twe (narrator). (*We are uncertain, at this time, if Nathan plans to utilize the same individuals in the ensemble.)

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