Yang Liping Contemporary Dance: Under Siege, Mostly Mozart Festival at David H. Koch Theater, August 8–10, 2019

In this U.S. premiere from China’s Yang Liping Contemporary Dance, the astonishing Under Siege portrays the climactic battle between the Chu and Han armies in 202 B.C., an epic struggle that changed the course of Chinese history. Celebrated choreographer Yang Liping employs martial arts, contemporary and Chinese folk dance, gymnastics, and hip-hop to stage her version of the age-old story of love, war, passion, and betrayal that has been passed down through generations. Tim Yip (Oscar winner for his production design of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) creates an intensely beautiful visual landscape and costumes that complement Yang Liping’s melding of ancient traditions with modern sensibilities.

Under Siege photographs by DING Yi Jie.

Under Siege 02 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 03 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 04 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 05 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 08 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 10 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 11 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 12 Photographer MA Hong Bo

Under Siege 13 Photographer MA Hong Bo

Under Siege 14 Photographer LI Yi Jian

Under Siege 16 Photographer LI Yi Jian

Under Siege 17 Photographer DING Yi Jie

Under Siege 18 Photographer XIAO Quan

Under Siege 20 Photographer LI Yi Jian

Yang Liping Contemporary Dance: Yang Liping, chief choreographer and director. Tim Yip, visual director/set and costume design.

Images courtesy Lincoln Center.