Yang Liping's 'Rite of Spring' tours to town

Chinese dance legend and renowned choreographer Yang Liping will bring her stunning reimagining of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” to Shenzhen Grand Theater this December.

A promotional photo of "Rite of Spring." Photo from official WeChat account "深圳大剧院"

Stravinsky’s scenario and score may have been choreographed for countless times and in countless different ways, but an interpretation by a Chinese artist is rarely seen.

A promotional photo of "Rite of Spring." Photo from official WeChat account "杨丽萍艺术"

A product of Chinese culture intermingled with concepts of nature and life, Yang’s “Rite of Spring” spins an abstract legend of the path of salvation. The work is in three parts: Incantation, Sacrifice and Reincarnation. At its heart is a woman who volunteers for death in the knowledge that she will be reborn. Her story is one of a journey from fear and doubt to the empowerment she finds in her sacrifice.

The familiar image of peacock appears as a symbol for hope and rebirth, while the image of a lion symbolizes for authority and power.

A promotional photo of "Rite of Spring." Photo from official WeChat account "杨丽萍艺术"

Through spectacular set design and exquisite costumes by Tim Yip, the production creates a distinctive universe where time, space, and life coexist in endless reincarnation. Yip, a Hong Kong designer, won the Academy Award for art direction for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in 2001.

During the show, Yang combined a piece of music created by Chinese musician He Xuntian with the original classic work by Stravinsky in an attempt to present a more complete story. She also integrated a few elements from Tibetan Buddhism.

A poster for the production. 

Time: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6-8

Tickets: 180-880 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit B; or Line 9 to Hongling Station (红岭站), Exit A