pexels-peng-zhang-117223730-37467110.jpg
Look at Me_v3_2026-05-12.jpg
pexels-peng-zhang-117223730-37467110.jpg
Look at Me_v3_2026-05-12.jpg

Look at Me

$7.00

for coloratura soprano and piano
ca. 3’45”

Look at Me (2026) is inspired by the life of poet Li Ye. One of the "Three Great Female Poets" of the Tang Dynasty, her life is a tragic tale: a child prodigy, she was then appointed Poet Laureate by the Emperor in her forties. She was often accused of being "unchaste" throughout her lifetime, even as a child—make of that what you will.

In 783 AD, rebel leader Zhu Ci captured the capital of China and forced Li Ye to write poetry denigrating the Tang Dynasty. When Zhu was ultimately defeated by the Tang court the following year, Li Ye was accused of treason for her anti-Tang poetry. She was condemned to death and executed the following year.

Look at Me was commissioned by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Cincinnati Song Initiative, with major support from Lori Laitman.

PDF - for Coloratura Soprano and Pian Accompaniment | $7.00

for coloratura soprano and piano
ca. 3’45”

Look at Me (2026) is inspired by the life of poet Li Ye. One of the "Three Great Female Poets" of the Tang Dynasty, her life is a tragic tale: a child prodigy, she was then appointed Poet Laureate by the Emperor in her forties. She was often accused of being "unchaste" throughout her lifetime, even as a child—make of that what you will.

In 783 AD, rebel leader Zhu Ci captured the capital of China and forced Li Ye to write poetry denigrating the Tang Dynasty. When Zhu was ultimately defeated by the Tang court the following year, Li Ye was accused of treason for her anti-Tang poetry. She was condemned to death and executed the following year.

Look at Me was commissioned by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Cincinnati Song Initiative, with major support from Lori Laitman.

PDF - for Coloratura Soprano and Pian Accompaniment | $7.00

 

Text by Adrian Wong

Look at me!
Frail and useless and sickly.
Look at me!
Frail and inept and sickly.
Yet they slander with fervor!
Promiscuous, a prostitute, a charmer!

They unleashed lies across the nation
that surged up the palace steps.
to devour the throne!
Frail and cunning!
Useless and seductive!
Sickly, lascivious, a charming charmer!

Look at me!
Threatened by a failed revolution
to vilify the throne!
Banished from the court, a traitor
condemned to death!