6. Confucius

Premiere: 2013

China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater

The dance drama Confucius is directed by Kong Dexing, a direct descendent of Confucius. It depicts Confucius' tour around the Chinese States, a journey full of frustrations, where dreams go unfulfilled and devotion goes without repayment.

Confucius advocated and proposed rulers adopt codes of etiquette and a policy of benevolence, but his ideas failed to change the muddle-headed Lord of the State, who luxuriated in the company of beautiful women. Due to conspiracies of crafty and fawning officials, Confucius' ideas failed to change the situation and was forced to flee for his life. Trapped in the tempest of danger and hunger, he imagined seeing an ideal world of great harmony, but the wars continued, and his wishes were a heavy burden.