Presenter: National Ballet of China
Librettist / Director / Artistic Director: Zhang Yimou
Lead cast: Zhu Yan, Zhang Jian and Wang Qimin
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts-Opera House
Dates: March 14 -15, 2009 19:30
Price: VIP 500 400 300 200 100 RMB
Programme Introduction
Figure-hugging Chinese cheongsam, a pallet of all the gorgeous colors you can imagine on a theatrical stage, breathtaking melodies, characteristic setting, close-knit arrangements of dancing movements and many more make Raise the Red Lantern a hit worldwide shortly after its debut. It creates great stir in the world ballet community and receives a shower of media praises across Europe. Thanks to it, the National Ballet of China was nominated for the British National Dance Award (the dance world’s equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Foreign Dance Company.
World Tour
Since its world premiere in May 2, 2001, the National Ballet of China presented the full length ballet of Raise the Red Lantern in more than 20 major cities in China as well as on a world tour to Singapore, Italy, France, UK, USA, Australia, Mexico and Russia. In August 2008, it will debut in Covent Garden, London and in October will embark on a 5-city Korean tour. The ballet’s tour hit the following cities:
May 2001, World Premiere, Tianqiao Theatre, Beijing, China
July 2001, Taibei Cultural Centre, Taiwan, China
March 2002, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Macao Cultural Centre, China
Oct. – Nov. 2002, Esplanade-Theatres On the Bay, Singapore
Oct. - Nov. 2003, European Tour, Modena and Parma Italy, Maison de le Culture at Nevers, Auditorium at Dijon and Thèatre musical de Paris Châtelet, France, and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, UK.
Sept. - Oct. 2005, USA Tour, UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, San Francisco, Segerstrom Hall of Orange County Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC, Howard Gilman Opera House of Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York
April 2006, the Capitol Theatre, Sydney
June 2007, Athens Concert Hall，Greece
Oct. 2007 Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato-Mexico
Nov. 2007, Year of China in Russia, the Central Army Theatre, Moscow
August 2008, Convert Garden (Royal Opera House), London
October 2008, Korean Tour
Synopsis
Prologue
1920s, China. In a quiet courtyard, a young girl is forced into a bridal palanquin. She is going to be the second concubine of the master of the house. Before getting into the palanquin, she remembers her childhood lover – a young actor from a Peking opera group (Xi Ban).
Act I
In the joyful atmosphere of the wedding, the wife and the first concubine of the master welcome the second concubine into the family with complex emotional undertones. During the wedding night, despite her desperate resistance, the bride is finally overcome by her tragic destiny.
Act II
The master passes time with his wife and concubines by watching Peking opera and playing mah-jong. The second concubine sneaks out for a while to meet her former lover, the young actor. But their secret is discovered by the first concubine who has ulterior motives.
Act III
The two lovers continue their love affairs in secret. The first concubine tells the master about their affair. The master catches the two lovers who bravely confess without hesitation. The first concubine tries to use this occasion to renew her favor in the eyes of the master. However, she received a heavy slap on the face instead. Driven by depression, she grabs the lighting stick, which symbolizes the master’s power over his household and lights all the red lanterns hanging in her yard. In great fury, the master orders his minions to execute the first concubine who dares to break his house law.
Epilogue
The two lovers and the first concubine are taken to the execution ground. Facing death, they forget their hostilities, and reconcile with each other. In tolerance and affection, they embrace together. Feudalism strangles their young life and beautiful love.
National Ballet of China
Founded on 31 December 1959, the National Ballet of China is China’s only national ballet company. Its dancers and musicians are all graduates from professional dance academies and music conservatories across China. Since the day it was founded, the company has received continuous support from the Chinese government. In its early days, Russian ballet master Pyotr Gusev and other Russian teachers helped lay a solid foundation for the company using their experience in the Russian School of classical ballet. For more than 40 years, the National Ballet of China has introduced many outstanding classical ballets and contemporary ballet works to the Chinese audience. At the same time, it has attached great importance to creating a unique fusion between western classical ballet and Chinese culture. They have achieved this by creating their own ballets, which represents the varied characteristics of the Chinese nation. Today, the company has a broad repertoire and has successfully trained many generations of outstanding artists. Through international cultural exchange, The National Ballet of China has attracted the attention of the international ballet world.
(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)