Chinese choreographer Yang Liping brings her interpretation of Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" to the Edinburgh International Festival. Zhang He has this report.

It is a dance of sacrifice and renewal - "The Rite of Spring", one of the greatest musical works of the 20th century and one of the most recorded in the classical repertoire. At the 2019 Edinburgh International Festival, China's Yang Liping made her debut with a new interpretation of the classical work, inspired from traditional Tibetan culture.

YANG LIPING CHINESE CHOREOGRAPHER "The production incorporates a lot of Chinese ethnic culture, especially Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture. We use not only ballet but body language as well. For instance, Tara represents release from suffering, redemption, sacrifice and rebirth."

This one-hour full-length production used Stravinsky's original music with new score by Chinese composer He Xuntian, influenced by traditional Tibetan music.

ZHANG HE EDINBURGH "It is the first time that Yang Liping performs at Edinburgh International Festival. The tickets were sold out very quickly and the performance was a huge success!"

PENNY JOHNSTON "I've lived in Edinburgh for 35 years and this is one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. It just touched me every single level."

ANNE MACDONALD "It was thing was brilliant. The dance, the choreography, the stage and direction. It is just mind-blowing."

The piece was co-produced by a number of major international festivals and is expected to tour around the world.

FERGUS LINEHAN FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL "It is a wonderful experience working with Peacock Dance Company and a whole range of promoters around the world. It is a tribute to just how highly thought of Yang Liping is now. She is a major figure in world dance. This is a co-production with London, with Toronto, with Melbourne and a real example of how festivals and promoter from around the world can come together to help create a work of real significance."

Yang Liping hopes the collaboration can help the production enter the international stage and promote understanding between west and east. 

Zhang He, CGTN, Edinburgh.