What's on

Stage

Philadelphia Symphony

Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of five leading orchestras in the world. It was the first foreign performance group to visit China in the 1970s, along with former US president Richard Nixon. The concert will feature Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and The Rite of Spring, played under the baton of Charles Dutoit.

May 8, 7:30 pm

Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road 021-6854-1234

300-2,200 yuan

BBC Symphony

The concert of BBC Symphony Orchestra marks the conclusion of this year's Shanghai Spring Music Festival. The BBC symphony is the flagship orchestra of the United Kingdom and one of the best symphony orchestras in the world. Conductor for the Shanghai concert is Jir Belohlvek and it will feature clarinet soloist Sabine Meyer. The program will include Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli by Sir Michael Tippett, Clarinet Concerto by Mozart and Symphony No 9 by Dvorak.

May 18, 7:30 pm

Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road

021-6854-1234

180-1,680 yuan

Netherlands Dance Theater II

The Netherlands Dans Theatre II is internationally recognized as one of the most revolutionary ensembles in the world of modern dance.

This ensemble of young talent was founded in 1978 and consists of 16 dancers no older than 23 years of age. The ensemble's technique is astounding and its boundless energy lights the stage. It originally began as an internal training class, but the group has grown into world-class dance ensemble.

May 18-19, 7:30 pm

Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue

021-6386-8686

Exhibitions

Garden photos and paintings

Yuyuan Garden, the birthplace of the Shanghai school of painting, has won international fame for its large collection of Shanghai paintings. In May and June, the Administration Bureau of Shanghai Yuyuan Garden selected more than 50 paintings and calligraphies from its collection to display. Meanwhile, 50 photos of Zhuozheng Garden in Suzhou are on exhibition at the gallery.

Until June 20

Tingtao Pavilion, Yuyuan Garden

218 Anren Street

021-6328-2465

Dialogue between East and West

He Saibang and Qin Yifeng's paintings and installations address the complex relations between East and West. Both explore Western concepts of modernism combined with classical Chinese culture and traditions. The results are striking illustrations of highly individual aesthetics, conspicuously unique among current Chinese art.

Until May 31

EASTLINK Gallery, Building No 6, 5F, 50 Moganshan Road

021-6276-9932

www.eastlinkgallery.cn

Installation art

Presented by curators Biljana Ciric and Magda Danysz - art directors of Bund18 and the 18Gallery - a new installation work by Liu Jiawei is on display at the Atrium of Bund 18. As Liu says: "Imagine 5 million years ago, nothing existed but water, clouds and the earth. With civilization, until now, the world has become fragmented, broken ice, broken spirit." Liu calls on people to "think about this and change in human behavior and innovate toward our own evolution".

Until June 6

Bund 18, Ground Floor, Atrium

021-6326-8099

(China Daily 05/07/2010 page45)