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The First Emperor

Composer Tan Dun’s epic opera is based on the life and reign of the Qin Shi Huangdi, the first man to unify the warring states of ancient China and the builder of the first Great Wall. With music that is a mix of East and West, the monumental production features the legendary tenor Plácido Domingo as Emperor Qin, staging by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou (RAISE THE RED LANTERN), and costumes by Oscar-winning designer Emi Wada (RAN). The opera had its world premiere at the Met on December 21, 2006.

THE FIRST EMPEROR airs May 11 for SundayArts.

2 comments

3/22/08 :: 3:07 pm
CATHERINE GREENE Says:

What a splendid birthday present!
I saw the premier and was stunned by the work itself, the production, and the extraordinary performance of PLACIDO DOMINGO. So thank you.
Nails

5/15/08 :: 2:21 pm
Thirteen/WNET » Weekend Roundup: What’s Going on in the Arts Says:

[…] of “La Fille du Regiment” is sold out, but you can still grab tickets for “The First Emperor” (Sat., 1:30pm) and “Macbeth” (Sat., […]

GREAT PERFORMANCES is produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET New York, with funding by the Irene Diamond Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers, and PBS. Corporate support for Great Performances at the Met, an alliance between the Metropolitan Opera and Thirteen/WNET New York, is provided by Toll Brothers, America's luxury home builder.®.

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