The First Emperor:Creating a World Premiere for the Metropolitan Opera, with Tan Dun

On December 3rd, 2006, Tan Dun, composer, conductor and co-librettist, offered an extraordinary preview of his new opera The First Emperor. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera, it premiered on December 21, the production features award-winning novelist Ha Jin as co-librettist, the legendary filmmaker Zhang Yimou as director and Plácido Domingo in the title role. At this event, Tan Dun was joined by musicians and singers to talk about The First Emperor and perform musical excerpts.

First Emperor Opera Composer Tan Dan and Director of Performing Arts Rachel Cooper at Asia Society

First Emperor Opera Soprano Elizabeth Futral at the Asia Society

First Emperor Opera Choreographer Huang Dou Dou at Asia Society