Upcoming performances in Beijing and Shanghai

Beijing

Classic opera

The National Center for the Performing Arts will stage its self-produced La Traviata during the holiday season. The play has two casts, one with Chinese singers in the three principal roles and the other non-Chinese. American soprano Mary Dunleavy and Mexican tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz will lead the non-Chinese cast of La Traviata. While the Chinese cast includes Zhang Liping, Ding Yi and Liao Changyong.

However another star on the stage is the set, designed by Benito Leonori.

7:30 pm, Feb 13-17. National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square. 010- 6655-0000

Year of the rabbit

To usher in The Year of the Rabbit, a group exhibition themed on the creature is being held at Hongbaotang Gallery, located on Liulichang Street, Beijing's traditional culture street. The more than 100 exhibits comprise mainly ink-color paintings and calligraphy works, by such artists as Liu Dawei, Feng Yuan and Wang Tongren.

The gallery will simultaneously hold three solo shows of ink painter Wang Jiancheng, Cao Junyi and Chao Gu.

10 am-5 pm, until Feb 8. Hongbaotang Gallery, Liulichang Street, Xicheng district. 010-6301-7427

Epic ethnic show

The Our History, Our Root exhibition showcases scenes of ordinary people's lifestyles, customs and livelihoods around the country. The exhibits, which have been collected from around the country, are cultural relics that are more than 500 years old. Another exhibition displays 3,000 everyday items used by ordinary Chinese from different places, times and ethnic groups.

8:30 am-5:30 pm, daily. China Nationalities Museum, 1 Minzuyuan Lu, Chaoyang district. 010-6206-3646

Shanghai

Teresa Teng lives

Teresa Teng (1953-95) was an influential pop singer from Taiwan. Her voice and songs are instantly recognized throughout East Asia and the Chinese community all over the world. Dai Ni, a singer from Shanghai, is known as one of Teng's best imitators. Dai will present Teng's most beloved songs at a concert.

7:30 pm, Feb 5. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu. 021-6317-2426

Movie music

Two symphonic concerts will present music from all-time movie favorites such as Titanic, The Bridges of Madison County and the Disney cartoon Mulan, with clips from the films playing in the background.

7:15 pm, Feb 6, 7. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue. 021-6386-8686

Modern art

M Art Center brings together prints by a group of Chinese contemporary artists, such as Ding Yi, Liu Ye, Ye Yongqing and Sun Liang. The exhibition is on through Chinese New Year.

9 am- 6 pm, until Feb 8. M Art Center, Building 2, 66 Moganshan Lu. 021-6299-6610

China Daily

(China Daily 02/02/2011 page3)