Raise the Red Lantern

A Ballet in Three Acts

Based on Su Tong's novel Wives and Concubines

Adapted from Zhang Yimou's movie of the same name

Librettist/Director/Artistic Director: Zhang Yimou

Producer: Zhao Ruheng

Music by Qigang Chen

Choreographers: Xinpeng Wang(Original) and Wang Yuanyuan

Stage Designer: Zeng Li

Costume Designer: Jérôme Kaplan

Lighting Designer: Zhang Yimou

Assistant Choreographers: Monica Fotescu-Uta, Fei Bo

Peking Opera Music Consultant: Wang Zhiming

Peking Opera Advisors: Gao Mukun, Ma Shuai

Music Assistant: Bi Siyue

Guest Performers: China National Peking Opera Company

               National Orchestra of China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater

               Eight Great Hammers Percussion Group

World Premiere: National Ballet of China, Tianqiao Theater, May 2nd, 2001

Cast of Raise the Red Lantern

Second Concubine: Zhang Jian, Zhan Xinlu

Peking Opera Actor: Zhang Xi, Zheng Yu

First Concubine: Lu Na

Wife: Shi Liyang

Master: Cui Kai

(Dancers are subject to change)

Raise the Red Lantern

Synopsis by Zhang Yimou

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 happy and joyful atmosphere of the wedding, the wife and the first concubine welcome the second concubine of the master of the house into the family with complex emotional undertones.  The wedding night, despite her desperate resistance, the bride is finally overcome by her tragic destiny.

Act II

The master passes time with his wives by watching Peking Operas and playing mah-jong. The second concubine sneaks out for a while to meet her former lover. But their secret is discovered by the first concubine who has ulterior motives.

Act III

The two lovers continue their love affair 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 of the master. However, instead of that she receives a heavy slap on the face from the master who is beyond himself. Driven by depression, she grabs the lighting stick, which symbolized 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 lives and beautiful love.