World premiere: 25th May 1989. Performed by Houston Ballet, Glen Langdon (cond), with Li Cunxin in the title role. Venue: Wortham Centre, Houston, Texas.
U.K. premiere: 22nd August 1989, given by Houston Ballet, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Glen Langdon (cond), Li Cunxin (Buddha), at the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh.
This work tells Buddha's life story up until the time he becomes 'the awakened one'. It starts with his sheltered childhood in luxurious courtly surroundings, where he is protected from any knoweldge of sickness, old age and death. He marries, and and all seems to be going well. However, once he ventures beyond the palace walls, he has several experiences which jolt him out of his complacency. He has a profound realisation of the nature of human mortality. So, leaving home comforts behind, he sets out on a quest to come to terms with this phenomenon. For some years, he leads the life of an ascetic, living in the wilderness alongside five hermits and practising mortification of the flesh. But, finally, he rejects this approach as unproductive. After a period of many days' seated meditation, he discovers the answers to the questions that have troubled him for so many years and achieves Enlightenment.
- ISMN: 9790570684663 (M570684663)
