What's on

Beijing

Historical opera

The Peking Opera The Orphan of the Zhao Family is adapted from a folk drama of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It narrates a story of revenge and justice set in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-256 BC). The cast includes 72-year-old master performer Zhu Xiaofeng, Zhang Huifang and Huang Bingqiang. The show celebrates the 66th anniversary of the stage career of Zhu.

7:30 pm, July 23. Chang'an Grand Theater, 7 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng district. 010-5166-4621

Ode to masters

Professional pianist Yin Chengzong will hold a recital for the 2010 Summer Arts Festival. He will be playing the works of Chopin and Schumman. Among the pieces are Schumann's Fantasy Op 17 in C Major and Chopin's Nocturnes. Yin has not only interpreted a variety of Western music, but is also known for his creative adaptation of many renowned Chinese works.

7:30 pm, July 11. Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 010-6559-8285

Abstract paintings

A solo retrospective of Wang Yigang's 20 years of abstract painting explorations is on. In his early years, Wang made collages on canvas using materials such as plaster, paper, cloth and wood. Later he focused on structure and visual strength with synthetic pigment on the canvas. the brush strokes overlap and intertwine, forming conflict and fusion, with mathematical symbols and alphabetic letters expressing the unknown.

9 am-4 pm, until July 17. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang district. 010-5876-9690

Shanghai

Legendary heroine

The original Chinese opera Mulan tells the story of legendary heroine Mulan, who disguises herself as a man to take the place of her ailing father in the army. The opera scored by Chinese composer Guan Xia debuted in 2004 and has toured across China. Famous soprano Peng Liyuan, president of the Performing Arts Troupe of the People's Liberation Army's Political Department, is artistic director.

7:15 pm, July 12, 13. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue. 021-6386-8686

Children's chorus

The Paris Opera Children's Chorus will give a concert showcasing lyrical pieces by Bizet, Mozart and Debussy, as well as French folk songs and holy songs. The chorus was founded 25 years ago and has participated in more than 40 operas and musicals, working with internationally famous conductors and singers.

7:30 pm, July 17. Shanghai Oriental Art Center-Concert Hall, 425 Dingxiang Lu. 021-6217-2426

Boy choir

The Pacific Boychoir, from Oakland, California, the United States, won a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Classical Album. Founded in 1998 with six boys, the chorus now has more than 100 singers aged from 7 to 17. The choir's founding musical director Kevin Fox will lead the China tour.

7:30 pm, July 20. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu. 021-6217-2426

Traditional landscape

The exhibition Expanding Horizons, highlights key artistic practices in traditional landscape art. Exhibits cover a wide range of media including painting, photography and video works.

11 am-7 pm, until Sep 25 except Monday. Art + Shanghai Gallery, 2 Lane, 22 Fuming Lu. 021-6248-4388

On World Expo

The West Lake International Artists Association invited 22 artists from Shanghai and Zhejiang to create artworks inspired by the Expo. Displayed at the Zhu Qizhan Art Museum, the majority of the exhibits are Chinese paintings and calligraphy.

At the same time Lu Yanshao Art Museum in the suburban Jiading district, is also staging an exhibition of oil paintings and other Western style artworks featuring the Expo.

9 am-5 pm, July 8-13. Zhu Qizhan Art Museum, 580 Ouyang Lu. 021-5671-0742

Guangzhou

Italian artist

Italian artist Eolo Tomassoni will exhibit photographs and paintings, which show his exploration of links between contemporary Chinese culture and tradition. The exhibits are in chronological order, starting from his experience in Beijing to that in Sanya, Hainan province.

9 am-6 pm, weekdays, July 18-Aug 18. Spot Art Gallery, 14/F International Finance Place (IFP), 8 Huaxia Lu, Pearl River New City, Guangzhou. 020-3839-6225 ext 170