Farewell My Concubine
Yingdi Sun × Tan Dun × Xiudi Xiao
European Premiere, Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 13, 2016
Overview
On October 13, 2016, pianist Yingdi Sun gave the European premiere of Farewell My Concubine, a work by renowned composer Tan Dun, at the Ludwigshafen Philharmonic Hall (Germany).
In this performance, the piano assumed the role of the tragic hero Xiang Yu (the King of Chu), while soprano Xiudi Xiao portrayed Yu Ji, his beloved concubine. The dialogue between the two instruments—voice and piano—transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries, merging the expressiveness of Western pianism with the emotional depth of traditional Chinese opera.
European audiences were captivated by the fusion of East and West — the piano’s percussive power evoking the grandeur of ancient Chinese drama, and Yu Ji’s lyrical voice expressing the fragility and devotion of love in the face of destiny.
About the Work
Farewell My Concubine (《霸王别姬》) reimagines one of China’s most iconic legends through Tan Dun’s distinctive sound world, blending Peking opera aesthetics with contemporary Western instrumentation.
The piano’s sonority becomes both an instrument and a dramatic persona — evoking the qi (spirit) and li(force) of a warrior. The work’s structure mirrors the opera’s narrative: love, sacrifice, and transcendence.
This performance marked a milestone in Yingdi Sun’s cross-cultural repertoire, showcasing his ability to merge profound technique with theatrical expressivity.
Gallery
Tan Dun on “Farewell My Concubine”
Composer’s Note
“When I was a teenager working with the Hunan Peking Opera Troupe, I fell deeply in love with the art of Beijing opera — its rhythm, gesture, and spirit.
I was especially inspired by Mei Lanfang’s legendary sword dance from Farewell My Concubine.
The fusion of martial art and opera that Mei achieved later shaped my approach when composing the music for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with Ang Lee.
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of conversation between cultures — here, the piano, the world’s most universal instrument, becomes Xiang Yu, and the human voice, Yu Ji.
Through their dialogue, the audience hears love, heroism, and the eternal struggle between power and tenderness.
I incorporated three of Mei Lanfang’s original vocal lines from the opera, which embody Yu Ji’s beauty, loyalty, and immense compassion — love for her lover, her home, and her country.
The piano, meanwhile, expresses Xiang Yu’s heroic courage and his tragic defiance of fate.
Together, they create a universe of tension and devotion — a dialogue between East and West, strength and fragility, history and modernity.”
— Tan Dun
Artists
Piano — Yingdi Sun
Gold Medalist of the 7th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition (Utrecht, 2005). Acclaimed for his passionate interpretations and technical brilliance, Sun has become a key advocate for contemporary Chinese works in the international arena.
Soprano — Xiudi Xiao
Renowned for her refined vocal artistry and deep understanding of Chinese operatic expression, Xiudi Xiao has collaborated extensively with Tan Dun on cross-cultural vocal projects.
Composer — Tan Dun
Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Lion award-winning composer and conductor. His works blend the spiritual traditions of Chinese art with the innovation of Western avant-garde, redefining the boundaries between music, theater, and ritual.