The world’s a stage

Kunqu Opera will make its debut in London for the 2012 Olympics,mu Qian reports. Two rare performances of Kunqu Opera in London will transport audiences to ancient China.

As part of the beijing C u l t u re We e k orga n i ze d by t h e government of beijing, the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater will give two performances at the shaw Theatre of London — A Dream of Red Mansionson july 24 and ANewLegend ofpipaon the following day. “Kunqu is regarded as the ‘origin of a hundred operas’ in China,” said Cao Ying, Northern Kunqu Opera Theater’s vice-president.

Musicians receive standing ovation in London

The London Philharmonic Choir and vocalists from China and UK - Ning Liang, Rebecca Evans, Andrew Kennedy and Matthew Rose - joined the performance, which concluded Beijing Culture Week in London.

In contrast with the Beethoven symphony were two Chinese works in the first half: Tang Jianping's Sacred Fire 2008 - Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, dedicated to the Beijing Olympic Games, and Guo Wenjing's Overture 'Lotus', dedicated to the London Olympic Games.