Published on Feb 26, 2016

Rating:

Genre: NCPA

Dates: Apr 30 - May 2, 2016

Venue: Opera House of NCPA

Prices: 100, 180, 280, 400, 460, 520, 580, 680

Features: Raise the Red Lantern creates great stir in the world ballet community since its world premiere on May 2, 2001. Now the National Ballet of China will presents Raise the Red Lantern at NCPA from April 30th to May 2nd, 2016.

BRIEF 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.

Since its world premiere on 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, Raise the Red Lantern was staged in the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and finished a 5-city Korean tour in October.

SYNOSIS

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
At the plaza in front of the bullfighting arena of Seville, spectators and peddlers go back and forth. Escamillo enters the arena, leaving Carmen outside. Then, Don José in ragged clothes begs for the forgiveness from Carmen, but she stays apathetic. Afterwards, the arena is exploded with cheers and applauses, and Carmen believes they are for the victory of Escamillo. She takes off the ring given by Don Jose, wanting to rush into the arena. Don José is thoroughly ablaze with anger, and he draws out the stagger and stabs at Carmen. When people step out from the arena with excitements, they see Carmen lie in blood and hear Don José cry 'I killed her! Carmen, my dear Carmen!'

Tickets for National Ballet of China - The 15th Anniversary Performance of Raise the Red Lantern are Available now!