Performance Master repertoires The Symphony Orchestra of Russia

boasts of musicians from Moscow, Kiev and Minsk. It performs more than 40 concerts a year and takes part in numerous international music festivals. The orchestra's repertoires include works of Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and Debussy. The performance in Beijing is one stop on the orchestra's world tour. 100-1,000 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 18 at the Poly Theatre, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang District. 6506-5345.

Italian debut

The Mantovani Orchestra from Italy, named after conductor Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, will make its debut in Beijing. 100-1,680 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 7 at the Great Hall of the People, west of Tian'anmen Square. 6417-7845. ,

Psychedelic steps

The National Ballet of China will stage three classic performances; Carmen, L'Arlesienne and the Pink Floyd Ballet. Founded in 1959, the troupe has been greatly influenced by Russian ballet. Over the last 55 years, it has put together an extensive repertoire of classic ballet performances. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 2-4 at the Tianqiao Theatre, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District. 8315-6170.

Puppet Nutcracker

As the winter holidays get into full swing, children in Beijing have the chance to get into the spirit with a puppet-art version of The Nutcracker, based on the ballet by Tchaikovsky and performed by the China Puppet Art Troupe. 50-240 yuan. 7:30 pm, Jan 13-31 at the China Puppet Theatre, A1 Anhuali, Chaoyang District. 6425-4798.

Novel songs

The all-time classic, "A dream of Red Mansions", by Cao Xueqin (1715-1763) is known to most with an interest in Chinese literature. The story depicts the decline of an aristocratic family through the tragic love story of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu. The theme songs of the 1986 TV series are still popular and next month Zheng Xulan, the original singer of some of the songs will take to the stage. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 20 at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park. 6559-8285.

Girls aloud

The Twelve Girls Band will give a New Year concert. The members, who play traditional Chinese instruments, all come from national symphony orchestras. The group, founded in 2003, have won applause for their presentation of traditional Chinese music in a contemporary style. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 13,14 at the Poly Theatre, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang District. 6506-5345.

Dreams come true

The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe will present a variety show entitled My Dream. Among the shows, there is a program called The Thousand-handed Avalokitesvara, performed by 21 deaf and mute dancers. 180-1,280 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 24, 25 at Beizhan Theatre, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District. 6835-4455.

Voices from Germany

The German SK Choir will sing songs, including Ave Maria, Open Your Eyes, For He Shall Give Angels Charge Over Thee, Why the Light Blazing Effete Soul, Being with Us, Maria Going Across the Thorns and Hallelujah from Messiah. 80-680 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 5, 6 at Century Theatre, Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6468-3311.

A shepherd that sings

Chinese shepherd-turned self-taught singer Abao, a TV singing competition winner, will sing folk songs from Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. Four other singers representing different singing styles of Western opera and Chinese pop, will share the stage with him. 50-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 6 at Great Hall of the People, west of Tian'anmen Square. 6417-7845.

Exhibitions

For all you legal eagles

The Fourth Legal Publicity Paintings Show is ongoing in an effort to echo National Legal Day on December 4. Composed of ink paintings and calligraphy works, the exhibits are themed on classic works of art. 20 yuan. 9am-5pm, until Jan 8 at National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6401-7076.

Art attack

More than 500 works of art, including oil paintings, inks, engravings, sculptures, installations and videos are currently on display at the Today Chinese Contemporary Fine Arts Exhibition. The 233 participants include artists, teachers, students and freelancers from across China boasting various styles. Realist oil paintings record the reality of modern people, the abstract works portray a world of mystery, ink paintings combine traditional and avant-garde and the sculptures, a cubic style. 20 yuan. 9am-5pm, until Jan 7 at National Art Museum of China. 6401-7076.

A fitting finale

Some 78 examples of Ming and Qing dynasties furniture, collected from Hong Kong, are on show at the China National Museum. This will be the museum's last exhibition until 2010 when it will reopen after a period of extensive reconstruction. 20-30 yuan. 8:30am-4:30pm. Until Jan 15 at the China National Museum, East of Tian'anmen Square. 6512-8901.

Italian life through a lens

Photograph exhibition entitled Zoom on Italy by ZOOM magazine. Founded in 1970, the magazine features a panorama of the current top international photographers, including the portfolios of established snappers as well as the work of emerging talent. The current exhibition leads the viewers on a discovery of Italy, its beauty, culture, creativity and sport. Free. 10am-8pm, Jan 6-19 at Timezone 8 Art Books, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8456-0336.

On the brink of modernity

Young artists Meng Jin and Fang Er based their works on a super-modern understanding of ordinary life in today's world. Meng's series of synthetic materials on canvas, called Anonymous Building, emphasises the fundamental lines and contours of an architectural structure, linking space with surrounding objects. The work appears incomplete, allowing the viewer to imagine how it would look if finished. Free. 10am-6pm, until Jan 6 at Platform China, 319-1 East End Art, Zone A, Caochangdi Village, Chaoyang District. 6432-0196. 319-1A

German oils

Exhibition of works by German contemporary artist Jonathan Meese, including oil paintings and photographs. Free. 10am-6pm, until Jan 7 at the Arario Beijing, Jiuchang Art Complex, Beihuqu Lu, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District. 5202-3800.

A take on China

Jean Rochard, a French painter who has spent most of his life in French Polynesia, showcases his impressions of China, a country he recently discovered during his travels. He focuses on the great effervescence he found in China in contrast with the languor of the Pacific islands. Free. 1pm-6pm, until Jan 10 at the Perif Gallery, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 135-2038-7498.

Life saving show

A Songzhuang artists' charity sale event and exhibition for their friend's Liu Zheng and Zhang Hui's son includes oil paintings by more than 50 artists. The opening exhibition for the Beijing East Zone Art Centre, it is being held from December 16 on to raise funds for the two-year-old boy who is suffering from congenital heart disease. Free. 10am-6:30pm, until Jan 31 at the Beijing East Zone Art Centre, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8911-5762.

Calling all bookworms

The annual 2007 Beijing Book Fair provides a stage for publishers, traders and distributors from both China and abroad. 9am-4pm, Jan 11-13 at the China International Exhibition Centre, 6 Beisanhuan Donglu, Chaoyang Distirct. 8460-0000

(China Daily 01/04/2007 page12)