Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney
October 5, 2018

The Mogao Caves outside Dunhuang in China’s Gansu province – a system of human-made caves housing one of the world’s most important repositories of Buddhist art and literature, including stunning painted murals – have inspired several Chinese works coming to Australia for the first time this year. Tonight the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra gives the Australian premiere of Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion, conducted by the composer, as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Chinese dance-drama The Legend of Dunhuang is making its Australian debut tour, performed in Sydney last night by the Gansu Dance Troupe after shows on the Gold Coast and in Newcastle.

The Legend of Dunhuang. Photo supplied

The colourful dance piece – a story of friendship and art, set during the Tang dynasty – has become a classic of the Chinese dance repertory, touring for almost 40 years since its creation in 1979, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Its moral of friendship between nations has made it an apt piece of cultural diplomacy, seen in more than 40 countries. Dunhuang...