Tan Dun Australian Premiere of 'Buddha Passion' With Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

'The composer follows a highly individual path but the work’s emotional character serves as a modern-day transformation of one of Western music’s more impressive structures.' - The Sydney Morning Herald

'Flawlessly combining the classic with the contemporary in a rousing and memorable performance. As good as opera can get' - Performing Arts Hub

'Both the quality of the performance and the devout artistic commitment that have been invested in the creation of Buddha Passion have resulted in a spiritual experience to remember, making it an ideal centre-piece of any Arts Festival.' - Classic Melbourne

World-renowned artist and UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador Tan Dun's work 'Buddha Passion' had its Australian Premiere on 6 October 2018 at Hamer Hall with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to a standing ovation. Dun conducted the world premiere of his landmark new oratorio work at the Dresdner Musikfestspiele at Kulturpalast Dreseden, Germany on May 23 before bringing his new work over to Australia.

Commissioned jointly by the Dresdner Musikfestspiele, the New York Philharmonic, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the monumental piece - sung in Chinese and Sanskrit - is scored for seven soloists, choir, and orchestra. Premiered in Dresden by the Münchner Philharmoniker, featuring the International Chorakademie Lübeck, this monumental work continues to share its message of peace and cultural exchange through premiere performances this season in Australia, Asia, and North America, with its premiere solo cast.

'Buddha Passion' weaves stories that have lived in the hearts and minds of the Eastern World for thousands of years. 'Buddha Passion' will be the very first "passion" story written about the lessons of Buddha with music inspired by the ancient city of Dunhuang and the awe-inspiring Mogao Caves, which have been under protection for the past thirty years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tan Dun has made an indelible mark on the world's music scene with a creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance, and Eastern and Western traditions. A winner of today's most prestigious honors including the Grammy Award, Socar/Adacmy Award, Grawemeyer Award, Bach Prize, Shostakovich Award, and, most recently, Italy's Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement, Tan Dun's music has been played throughout the world by leading orchestras, opera houses, international festivals, and on radio and television.

Details:
Sen Guo | Soprano
Kang Wang | Tenor
Shenyang | Baritone
Huiling Zhu | Mezzo-soprano
Tan Weiwei | Female Indigenous Singer
Batubagen | Male Indigenous Singer
Wenqing Shi | Fantan Pipa Soloist and Dancer

Asian premiere – November 2-3 2018, Hong Kong New Vision Festival, Tan Dun, conductor
North American premiere – February 9-8 2019, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, conductor