The First Emperor
Synopsis
The incomparable Plácido Domingo began a new chapter in his legendary Met career when he created the role of Emperor Qin in the world premiere of Tan Dun’s epic opera. Staged by revered film director Zhang Yimou, The First Emperor is both a rich pageant of ancient China and a fascinating study of the ruler who united it. Conducted by the composer, it also stars Paul Groves and Elizabeth Futral and features a riveting turn by Peking Opera performer Wu Hsing-Kuo as the Yin-Yang Master.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Live Performance
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Brian Large
- Screenplay & Story
- Ha Jin, Tan Dun
- Original Title
- The First Emperor
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 57m
- Production Studios
- The Metropolitan Opera
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Brian Large
Ha Jin, Tan Dun
Department Leadership Roster
Ha Jin
Writer
Brian Large
Director
Tan Dun
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The First Emperor.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The First Emperor.
list23
010. Opera
Verdi, Mozart, Bellini, Wagner, Gounod, Puccini, Berg, Tchaikovsky, Tan Dun
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Frequently Asked Questions About The First Emperor
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The First Emperor about?
The incomparable Plácido Domingo began a new chapter in his legendary Met career when he created the role of Emperor Qin in the world premiere of Tan Dun’s epic opera. Staged by revered film director Zhang Yimou, The First Emperor is both a rich pageant of ancient China and a fascinating study of the ruler who united it. Conducted by the composer, it also stars Paul Groves and Elizabeth Futral and features a riveting turn by Peking Opera performer Wu Hsing-Kuo as the Yin-Yang Master.
Who directed The First Emperor?
The First Emperor was directed by Brian Large.
Who stars in The First Emperor?
The principal cast of The First Emperor includes Elizabeth Futral, Plácido Domingo, Paul Groves, Michelle DeYoung, Hao Jiang Tian.
When was The First Emperor released and how long is it?
The First Emperor was released in 2007 with a total runtime of 2h 57m.