Beijing

String quartet

Founded in 2007, Poland's Lutoslawski Quartet is composed of three violinists and one cellist. Its repertoire includes quartets of Witold Lutostawski and Karol Szymanowski.

7:30 pm, March 30. Forbidden City Concert Hall, West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, 010-6559-8285

Ode to Verdi

As one of Shakespeare's four greatest tragedies, Otello will be on stage in the form of opera. The masterpiece composed by opera maestro Guiseppi Verdi is to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. American tenor Frank Porretta will play the role of Otello, leading a cast that's a mix of Chinese and Western artists.

7:30 pm, April 11- 14. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, 010-6655-0989

Svan's life

Dutch photographer Peter de Ru records the daily life of a Swedish old man, Svan, via his camera. Discarded batteries, apples he picked, calendars full of words and marks, the old man reading newspaper at his sitting room, and everyday trifles are captured by the photographer.

10 am-6 pm, until April 6 except Mon, Three Shadows Photography Art Center, 155A Caochangdi, Chaoyang district, 010-6432-2663

Shanghai

Peking Opera standout

Pei Yanling, one of the most acclaimed Peking Opera singers in China, will give a solo concert of highlights from classical plays. She sings the parts of young male characters, and gives outstanding interpretation of scholars as well as warriors.

7:15 pm, March 31. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road, Pudong New Area. 021-6854-1234

DIY potters wanted

Children aged between 4 and 12 can enroll in the DIY Studio at Minsheng Museum of Modern Art, where pottery artists will teach them to make paperweights from paper clay. Parents should be present to ensure safety and help maintain classroom order.

2 pm, April 6. Minsheng Art Museum Shanghai, Building F, 570 Huaihai West Road. 021-6282-8729

Follow the Red Line

French painter Jean Dolande presents 84 paintings in a solo exhibition titled Red Line. Dolande was an actor when he was young, using the words and gestures to express his emotion. Then he wanted to re-create emotional paths through painting. "The emotion is pure, ultimate and vibrant and enables us to approach some truths," the artist says.

9 am-5 pm, until April 1. Duolun Museum of Modern Art, 27 Duolun Road. 021-5609-5728

Hong Kong

Flower power

With the theme flower of Dendrobium, the annual Hong Kong Flower Show is a must for horticulturalists looking for unusual varietals and tips to how to maintain their splendor in sub-tropical climes. On the sidelines are family activities such as student drawing competitions, photo competitions, musical performances and floral demonstrations.

9 am-9 pm, March 24. Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. 852-2601-8260

Reel Hong Kong

The 37th edition of Hong Kong International Film Festival roars into town with more than 300 films from 68 countries. This year, the focus is on the host city, with gala premieres including director Johnny To's Love War starring Louis Koo; director Ronny Yu's Saving General Yang starring Adam Cheng and Ekin Cheng; and director Arvin Chen's Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow starring Richie Jen and Mavis Fan.

Until April 2. Various venues. For schedules and tickets, visit www.hkiff.org.hk.

Curtain call

Opera Gallery celebrates its reopening with a one-woman show featuring the paintings of Lita Cabellut. Behind the Curtains showcases the Barcelona-born artist's emotional connection with the faces of famous people. The faces of Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich and other icons of the 20th century are honest and raw, yet their grandeur remains omnipotent.

Until March 30. Opera Gallery, G/F-3/F W Place, 52 Wyndham Street, Central. 852-2810-1208

China Daily

(China Daily 03/24/2013 page15)