With her German-Chinese performance-project “Bach and the Chinese Dragon” producer Danya Segal aims to promote intercultural understanding. The German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Chinese Emperor Kang Xi were contemporaries, both fascinated by the culture of the other. Segal’s production brings a new concept to the stage; the combination of classical music with elements of dance and theater creates a dialogue between the two cultures. “Baroque music always included movements drawn from dance forms,” explains Segal. “So the connection to Chinese dance makes sense.” The spark from this idea also caught fire for the internationally famed dancer and choreographer LingXi Li, who began work at once in Shanghai choreographing a piece to the strains of Bach as performed by Hanover’s Baroque ensemble, Musica Alta Ripa. With LingXi Li as dancer and the Singapore native Maverick Quek as actor the production boasts performers of the highest caliber. Emperor Kang Xi is reborn on the stage with dance, theater and the music of Bach. Through their classical body-dance and wearing ancient Chinese shoes, the female dancers spirit us back to the time of imperial concubines. A contemporary calligrapher – even today the training lasts almost 30 years in China – initiates the audience into his art. A thrilling journey from ancient China to modern times! The Chinese Ambassador himself is the patron of this performance and was present at its première in Schloss Oelber. Following numerous performances in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), the production will also be staged in 2010 at the Expo in Shanghai.

to the Movie