FirstWorks presents a World Premiere from Rhode Island’s own performance ensemble with a superb string quartet at its heart.

Aurea is delighted to join forces for the first time with Yang Wei, internationally acclaimed pipa virtuoso and member of Yo-Yo Ma’s famed Silk Road Ensemble. Crossings will celebrate the deep and surprising connections between Eastern and Western cultures, from ancient times through the present. In a rich tapestry of readings and music, this cross-cultural collaboration will include world and New England premieres of music for pipa and string quartet by Zhou Long, Zhu-Jianer and Liu Tianhua, alongside music of Maurice Ravel, John Dowland and Lou Harrison.

Aurea has previously premiered six different programs at FirstWorks, some of which went on to appear at major events like the Chicago Humanities Festival.