Less is more for Tan Dun's 'The First Emperor.'

When the ambitious opera was given its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in December 2006, there were many interesting elements, both musically and theatrically. But overall, it was a mixed night, done in by tedious pacing, especially in the first act.

It returned for its first revival of Saturday night, with Placido Domingo again in the title role, and the running time was cut to 2 hours, 50 minutes (including intermission), down a half-hour from the original. The cuts by the Academy Award-winning composer, especially during the first act, left a tauter work with faster pacing and greater dramatic flow. Read more

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