Synopsis
Directed by world-renowned artist Shen Wei, Dongpo: Life in Poems is a breathtaking contemporary dance opera that transcends time to explore the soul of the legendary Song Dynasty poet, Su Dongpo. Through a masterful fusion of contemporary dance, Chinese opera, Tai Chi, and an evocative score co-composed by Chen Qigang, this production transforms ancient poetry into a visceral, immersive experience.
Rather than a linear biography, the performance weaves together 13 selected poems to reveal the universal emotions of the human condition—contemplation, melancholy, resilience, and unrestrained joy. By integrating visual elements of calligraphy, painting, and seal engraving, Shen Wei creates a poetic atmosphere that invites the audience to synchronize their breath with the dancers on stage.
This production is a bridge between cultures and eras. It requires no prior knowledge of Chinese history or language; instead, it speaks the universal language of the body and spirit. Whether you are a fan of contemporary dance or a seeker of profound artistic resonance, Dongpo: Life in Poems invites you on a spiritual journey to discover the rugged yet broad-minded soul of a poet from a millennium ago, whose wisdom remains as relevant today as it was in the Song Dynasty.
Experience the harmony of ancient tradition and modern vision. Come and find your own reflection in the life of Dongpo.
Price Details
Standard: S$179, S$139, S$99, S$69
Esplanade Box: S$249
Premier Box: S$249
Restricted View: S$69
Start Sales
Early Bird
Internet & Mobile:
12 Aug 2026, 9am - 8 Sep 2026, 11.59pm
Other Channels:
12 Aug 2026, 10am - 8 Sep 2026, 8pm
Public
Internet & Mobile:
9 Sep 2026, 12am
Other Channels:
9 Sep 2026, 10am
Language
Mandarin
English subtitles are available
Duration
80 minutes (Approximately)
with no intermission
Admission Rules
Rating / Age Limit
- Rating: General
- Infants and children under 2 years old require an admission ticket even if they are carried by a parent or guardian and do not occupy a seat. A child ticket must be purchased.
- Children aged 2 to 6 years (inclusive) must have a valid Child Ticket for admission.
- Children above 6 years old must purchase a ticket at the standard admission price.
- Admission is subject to tickets produced at the entrance
Late Seating Advisory
- You are strongly advised to be seated 15 minutes before the performance start time
- No admission will be allowed into the venue once the performance has commenced
- Exceptions may be made at Esplanade's discretion depending on the nature of the performance
Photography / Video Recording Rules
- NO Photography is permitted - in the theatre or concert hall proper during show time.
- NO Videography is permitted - in the theatre or concert hall proper during show time.
Biography of Artists
Shen Wei is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist whose career spans dance, choreography, painting, and directing. Since founding "Shen Wei Dance Arts" in New York in 2000, he has developed the "Natural Body Development" technique, a methodology now taught at major universities and dance centers globally. His work has been presented in over 40 countries and 140 cities, establishing him as a pioneering figure in contemporary performance.
Throughout his career, Shen Wei has been commissioned by more than 30 major international institutions to create modern dance, ballet, opera, art films, and installation performances. Notable commissions include works for the Edinburgh International Art Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, American Dance Festival, Berlin Art Festival, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Next Wave Festival. He has also collaborated with iconic venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Kennedy Center, and the Roman Opera House. In 2008, he served as a director for the "Scroll Painting" section of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. His recent immersive projects include "Integrate," commissioned by the China Shanghai International Art Festival, and extensive solo painting exhibitions at the P.S.A. Contemporary Art Museum in Shanghai and other international galleries.
Shen Wei’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the 2004 Nijinsky Award, the 2007 MacArthur "Genius" Award, the 2018 John Rockefeller III Achievement Award, and the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Dance Festival. He lives and works between Paris, New York, and China, continuing to push the boundaries of multidisciplinary artistic expression.
About the Producers
Co-produced and Co-performed by
China Oriental Performing Arts Group
MeiShan Song and Dance Theatre (China)
The contemporary operatic dance production “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is jointly produced and performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd. and the MeiShan Song and Dance Theatre Co., Ltd.
China Oriental Performing Arts Group
Headed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the China Oriental Performing Arts Group is a leading and highly influential national performing arts culture group. It brings together a prestigious lineup of national level performing artists and veteran creative teams. Deeply committed to the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, the group has recently produced phenomenal stage hits such as “The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting”, “Tianxia Dazu” (The Dazu Rock Carvings, “The Palace Through Time”, and “Half of the Sea”. These masterpieces have taken domestic and international stages by storm, winning numerous prestigious national art awards. For decades, the group has carried out the mission of international cultural exchange, touring over 100 countries and regions across five continents. Through the ultimate artistry of the Oriental stage, it tells Chinese stories and shares Oriental aesthetics with the world.
MeiShan Song and Dance Theatre
Founded and rooted in Meishan, Sichuan Province—the hometown of Su Dongpo, a great literary giant in Song Dynasty of China—the MeiShan Song and Dance Theatre is a state-owned professional performing arts troupe. It combines professional excellence with creative vitality, dedicated to inheriting Dongpo culture. Drawing from a millennium of Dongpo’s literary legacy, the theatre uses tradition as its root and modern form as its expression. By innovatively blending classical essence with contemporary stage aesthetics, it has created numerous artistic masterpieces. Its works have frequently appeared on top-tier platforms such as China Media Group (CMG) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and have been performed internationally. It has become a vital artistic power for spreading Dongpo culture and promoting the aesthetics of Chinese poetry globally.
In this remarkable collaboration, the two elite groups seamlessly integrate poetic imagery, Oriental philosophy, and modern stage art to this contemporary operatic dance production. Combining pure Oriental poetry, profound Chinese cultural heritage, and an international artistic vision, this masterpiece offers Singaporean audiences a world-class aesthetic feast of Chinese culture—a captivating journey blending the ancient with the contemporary.
Event venue
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
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