Beijing

Rachmaninoff at NCPA

The National Center for the Performing Arts' Concert Hall Orchestra will feature Western classics in concert this week. The orchestra, which is led by Chen Zuohuang, the center's artistic director of music, debuted in April, 2010 and accompanies the operas and dance dramas produced by the national theater. Headlining Saturday's program: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 in C Minor Op 18 and Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.

7:30 pm, Feb 11. National Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, west of Tian'anmen Square. 400-880-2880

Russian impressions

The Russian painter Konstantin Bessmertny holds his first solo exhibition One of You in Beijing. This 47-year-old artist continued to live in Macao after exhibiting there in 1993 and he's used Living in Macao as the subject for his recent works. He is distinguished by his humor and creativity, combining different cultures in his art. Though he follows some classical styles, his pieces - mostly oil paintings - are not formulaic and often challenge preconceived notions.

10 am-5 pm, until Feb 19. Art for All Society workroom, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district. 010-5978-9625

Shanghai

Nigel Kennedy solos

Returning to the Chinese mainland after performing here five years ago, British violinist and violist Nigel Kennedy will give solo concerts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as part of his 2012 Asia Tour. He won a worldwide reputation for his recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, which sold more than 2 million copies and remains as one of the best-selling classical albums ever. Kennedy's music also absorbs jazz and other genres. Famous for his outstanding technique of classical music, he can delight and confound music lovers by riffing into improv (or Jimi Hendrix). Besides his trademark Vivaldi, the 56-year-old musician's repertoire in China will include 1930's jazz legend Fats Waller.

7:30 pm, Feb 16. Theater of Beijing Exhibition Center, 135 Xizhimen Street. 400-610-3721

7:30 pm, Feb 18, Shanghai Oriental Art Center - Concert Hall, 425 Dingxiang Road, 021-6854-1234

Taipei Peking Opera

The modern Peking Opera play Sun Bin and Pang Juan will be staged by Taipei Li-yuan Peking Opera Theater, starring Li Baochun as Sun Bin and Yang Yanyi, as Pang Juan. This is a brand-new production combining new actors and a new story, rewritten by Li Baochun: The two protagonists studied military strategy under the same tutor, and later served two kings fighting against each other. Composer Zhong Yaoguang wrote the overture, interval and finale.

7:15 pm, Feb 16, Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue, 021-6386-8686

Hong Kong

Two Thousand Eleven

As the inaugural exhibition curated by Para/Site's incoming executive director and curator Cosmin Costinas, a group show dubbed Two Thousand Eleven will feature the work of Olga Chernysheva, Heman Chong, Federico Herrero and John Smith. For many, the past year represented the possibility of real change, from global street protests to financial overhauls on trading floors.

This small-scale exhibition is a resounding comment on various points in history with the perception of hindsight - and is a fitting farewell to a turbulent year.

Noon-7pm, Wed-Sun, until March 4. Para/Site Art Space, G/F, 4 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan. 852-2517-4620

HK Arts Festival at 40

The Hong Kong Arts Festival turns 40 this year and it has come a long way from its humble origins. Now commanding a HK$110 million budget, its 166 performances include 38 international ensembles or solo artists and 16 local performers across 17 venues within the city. Highlights this year are a hybrid fashion show and gallery dubbed The World of Wearable Art, bad-boy virtuoso Nigel Kennedy, Rose Theater Kingston's staging of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (above), local thespian Poon Wai Sum's tongue-in-cheek comment on the property market Show Flat and The Bavarian State Opera's rendition of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

Until March 8; various venues. Tickets: 852-2111-5999. www.hk.artsfestival.org

Macao

Trick and treats

Taiwanese illusionist Lu Chen gets credit for starting a magic craze in China with his CCTV Spring Festival Evening Gala performances. The winner of the 2010 International Magicians Society Merlin Award for Most Original Magician unveils "Dazzle", his latest spectacular feast for the senses. The debut performance for Chen at The Venetian will showcase signature feats that have captured the imagination of international audiences.

8 pm, Feb 11. CotaiArena, Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca, s/n, Taipa. 853-2882-8818

China Daily

(China Daily 02/05/2012 page15)