La Cigale de Lyon, a famous children's chorus troupe from France, will come to Beijing for the last stop on its China tour. Conducted by Anne-Marie Cabut, performance will include solo, trio and chorus, with songs including French Garden, Flowers of Paris, Dream a Dream and Light of Water. Founded in 1947, the troupe has performed in many important occasions and co-operated with influential musicians. 50-580 yuan (US$6.3-72.5). 7:30 pm, May 4 at Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshn Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 6559-8285.
Solo cello
Mexican cellist Carlos Prieto is coming to Beijing. Playing cello at the age of four, Prieto has studied under such master cellists as Hungarian Imre Hartman, Pierre Fournier in Geneva and Leonard Rose in New York. Since 1980 he has played premieres with 80 compositions, most of which were written for him by leading composers from Latin America and Spain. 80-680 yuan (US$10-85). 7:30 pm, May 19 at Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District. 6605-7006. ,
Ballet mix
The classical ballet Carmen, L'Arlesienne, and Raymonda, co-performed by National Ballet of China and Paris Opera will be on. Carmen and L'Arlesienne are works by choreographer Roland Petit. The three-act Raymonda will be performed only with the third act, a story taken place in the court of Hungary. 80-680 yuan (US$10-85). 7:30 pm, May 5, 6 at Tianqiao Theatre, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District. 8315-6170, 8315-6300. 30
Broadway musical The curtain of the Fourth Beijing International Opera Season will be raised with West Side Story. As a classic Broadway musical that has been popular for more than 50 years, the play is still a model of how to blend classical music with jazz music in modern times. Its gritty story and exquisite singing and dancing made it a musical milestone. 80-880 yuan (US$10-110). 7:30 pm, May 7-11 at Beizhan Theatre, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District. 6835-4455.
Classical tour The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra is beginning a tour of China in Beijing. Originally established in 1911, it is currently the largest orchestra in Japan. Programmes include Tchaikovsky's violin concerto, Respighi's symphonic poem Pine of Rome, Mozart's overture of Marriage of Figaro and others. 180-580 yuan (US$22.5-72.5). 7:30 pm, May 11-12 at Poly Theatre, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang District. 6506-5345, 6506-5343.
Modern drama Xiong Shiyi's English manuscript, Lady Precious Stream, based on a classic Chinese story, is adapted into a post-modern drama called Cool Cave. The protagonist, Wang Baochuan, is a girl from a rich Tang Dynasty family. She falls for a young man but is rejected by his family, leading to her living in a cave for 18 years. Blending dance, drama, music and other elements, this work explores the potential of human intelligence. 6 pm, May 1, 2 at South Gate Space, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu 798 Art Zone, Chaoyang District. 6438-2797. , 4798
Chimney challenge Entitled The Chimney Plan, performance artist Ye Fu will carry out a 10-day experiment atop an abandoned chimney in the 798 Art District. Deprived of all contact with the outside world, he will challenge life to the limit with his body and explore the relationship between man and nature. The tension created during the process will contribute to the quality of art. May 1-10 at 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 798, 4
Petite Messe Solennelle
The Year of Italy in China is presenting Petite Messe Solemelle, one of Gioacchino Rossini's masterpieces in Beijing. Led by Maestro Michele Campanella, who is internationally renowned as one of the greatest interpreters of Liszt, the performance has been acclaimed to be enigmatic and innovative, strict but moving. Capanella will play the first piano, the second will be graced with Monica Leone. The chorus will be the Voice Ensemble of Naples. As Rossini wanted his last musical work to be performed without a chorus director, the piano, therefore, becomes the core and the central theme of the entire work. 100-880 yuan (US$12.5-110). 7:30 pm, May 4, Century Theatre, 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6466-3311. 40
Holiday entertainment The Second China Circus Carnival will be on during the May Day holidays. More than 30 performances by tigers, dogs, and other creatures as well as humans will be given. Programmes from domestic and Russian circus troupes will bring viewers top-level entertainment and laughs. The Circus is on at the same time as the third Chaoyang Pop Music Week with 69 performances. 50-230 yuan (US$6.3-28.8). Apr 28 to May 7 at Chaoyang Park (Sun Park), Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. 6506-5409.
Celebrative tunes
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of China-Japan Cultural Exchange Committee, and the 60th anniversary of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra will revisit China to appear again on the Beijing stage. Under the baton of conductor Hubert Soudant, the orchestra will co-operate with young Chinese violinist Huang Mengla, to play Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and other classic pieces by Chinese and Japanese musicians.
180-880 yuan (US$ 2.85-110). 7:30 pm, May 11, 12 at Poly Theatre. 65011854.
(China Daily 04/27/2006 page14)
