To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the Motherland,  MGM is set to embark on an innovative collaboration with Tan Dun – known as one of “Top 10 Important Musicians on the World’s Music Scene" – to jointly present Tan Dun's symphonic masterpiece "Buddha Passion" at MGM Theater on January 1-2, 2024.

This collaboration features a significant breakthrough of the artistic performance of "Buddha Passion" by MGM and Tan Dun, with the creation of a first-ever immersive fusion of music and technology, empowered by the vast spectacle of MGM Theater's 28 million pixels LED screen.

The show will authentically recreate the ancient dances and instruments on Dunhuang murals and present the grandeur of the entire Dunhuang reclining Buddha through digitalization. This groundbreaking production will offer a unique multisensory experience for audiences from near and afar to encounter the profound Dunhuang culture embedded in the magnificent music, resounding the joyous celebration of both the National Day and the anniversary of Macao's return to the Motherland.

MGM has always been committed to the innovative development of Chinese culture through the integration of culture and tourism. Leveraging years of acumen and network on arts and culture, MGM is proud to bring the performance of Tan Dun's "Buddha Passion" to Macau for the very first time. This grand piece employs music to build a cultural bridge that connects the historical and contemporary significance of Dunhuang, which has evolved over nearly two thousand years on the Silk Road, with the international stage of the current Macau. Empowered by the digital technology of MGM Theater, it pioneers a new era of Chinese cultural and artistic events that bridge the past and the present, promoting the vitality and positive energy of Chinese cultural excellence to the world.

Tan Dun, composer and conductor of “Buddha Passion” said, "My intention for creating this symphony is to bring the Dunhuang murals to the world stage in the medium of music, through which I hope to enliven the cultural, artistic, and philosophical spirit of ancient Dunhuang. This time, I am delighted to partner with MGM and present the performance of ‘Buddha Passion' in Macau for the first time from the Dunhuang’s millennium-old murals, by drawing on the advanced technologies in the MGM Theater. Through the harmonious fusion of auditory and visual elements, we will innovatively create an immersive atmosphere that conveys the compassionate and kind spirit of Dunhuang culture to the audience in Macau. I wish to shower Macau with New Year blessings via this performance, and spread the voice of Dunhuang culture and the great stories of Chinese culture across the globe on this international stage of Macau.”

The show is comprised of an extraordinary musical lineup – with Tan Dun conducting the Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra, along with the Lanzhou Concert Hall Choir which has been performing on numerous tours of “Buddha Passion” with Tan Dun, as well as various Dunhuang ancient music performers and international vocalists such as Tibetan indigenous singer Zeren Yangjin, indigenous singer and Dunhuang’s ancient Xiqin performer Hasibagen, Dunhuang’s Fantan Pipa dancer Chen Yining, soprano Candice Chung, mezzo-soprano Liu Niru, tenor Henry Ngan, bass Yang Yi, and more. Together, they will present a breathtaking multisensory music extravaganza for locals and visitors in Macau.

Since its premiere in 2018, "Buddha Passion" has received global acclaim and recognitions. Maestro Tan Dun dedicated over six years of time and paid more than ten visits to Dunhuang to create this musical masterpiece. The composition consists of six acts, namely “Bodhi Tree”, “The Deer of Nine Colors”, “Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes”, “Zen Garden”, “Heart Sutra” and “Nirvana”. Inspired by the Dunhuang Mogao Cave murals, Tan Dun fuses elements of Chinese and Western music with Dunhuang epics, alongside Chinese-language vocals to narrate the oriental philosophical stories depicted in the murals and also to recreate the ancient music found within. The piece truly showcases the cultural and philosophical values of equality, dedication and philanthropy inherent in Chinese Dunhuang culture to the world.

The performance of "Buddha Passion", jointly presented by MGM and Tan Dun, will take place at the MGM Theater at 8pm on January 1 and 2, 2024. A 90-minute performance will take place on each of the aforementioned dates. Tickets will be available for purchase starting from December 7 on the official MGM website, with prices starting from MOP 480. M-life members will have priority access to ticket sales starting from December 6.

Ticketing:

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About Tan Dun

The world-renowned Chinese conductor and composer Tan Dun is the UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador. Tan Dun graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Columbia University. He is currently Dean of the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York and an Honorary Artistic Director of the China National Symphony Orchestra. Tan has been promoting the messages of peace and green environment. His music has made an indelible mark on the world's music scene, which earned him many prestigious honors, including the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale, the Grammy Award, Oscar/Academy Award, Bach Prize, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France, Shostakovich Award, Grawemeyer Award, the 50th Istanbul Music Festival Lifetime Achievement award, and more.

Tan Dan has created numerous pieces of globally influential symphonies, including “Buddha Passion”, organic music work “Water Concerto”, “Paper Concerto” and “Earth Concerto”, as well as Percussion concerto “The Tears of Nature”. Tan was invited to create music for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 China World Expo and the grand opening celebration of Shanghai Disneyland in 2016, and was also invited to be the global music ambassador for Beethoven 250th Anniversary Celebration. He has been referred as one of the top 10 most important musicians on the global music scene by New York Times, and recognized as one of the top 10 most influential Chinese in the world by 10 key Chinese media.

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Executive Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Senior Corporate Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo