Zuo Zhenguan

«River Flows»

Ballet in 2 acts, 4 scenes

Libretto - Li Hua edited by V.Gordeev
Choreography and staging - V.Gordeev
Decor- D. Cherbadzhi

A young lone girl named Avei is dancing on the edge of the lake Dyanchi...
The Dragon-emperor's son is swimming out and he is watching the girl's beautiful dance.
During the dance the girls loses her little bell. The Dragon-emperor's son finds the bell and he vows to find the girl.
Atai lives in a lovely mountain village since his childhood among forests and wild animals. He falls in love with Avei and vows to marry her. Atai looks for a present for his sweetheart and he runs risks. But the Dragon-emperor's son saves his life.
Avei meets a good-looking young man (the Dragon-emperor's son) with her bell and the girl is besotted with him.
Atai ask for Avei's hand but she says no.
The Dragon-emperor's son renounces immortality and starts living among people.

Atai in despair sets fire to the forest on the peak Sishan. The fire is in rage.
People pray for rain to put out the fire and they decide to sacrifice an unknown young man to the Dragon. They are not aware that he is the Dragon's son.
Atai feels hatred and gratitude towards his rival.

Atai appears and suggests that they sacrifice him instead of the Dragon-emperor's son.
The Dragon-emperor's son stops Atai and jumps into the lake Dyanchi flowing together with it.
It starts raining and Avei turns into a stream.
Atai is inconsolable. He leaves the village to guard the lake Dyanchi. The flock of sea-gulls fly under the lake...