Winter theater offers something for everyone

12-27-2010 08:34 BJT

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As the temperature plummets amid Beijing's winter, theaters in the capital are heating up with productions for the new year. From urbane to gauche, theaters are offering a diverse selection of shows for art lovers.

The National Center for the Performing Arts, or NCPA, kicked off the festive season with the 2010 Classic Opera Concert. Leading opera singers from China and abroad sang excerpts from the NCPA's opera productions since it opened three years ago, including "La Traviata", "Carmen", "A Female Teacher in a Village" and "Xishi".

But this season of performances wouldn't complete without pop. Hong Kong hearthrob, Gi Gi Leung, held her first solo concert in 15 years on Christmas Eve in Beijing. Leung seized the spotlight by surprising fans with her sharp choreography, thoughtful stage settings and colorful costumes.

For fans of more traditional arts, the China National Peking Opera Company has prepared four romantic repertories including the "Butterfly Lovers" and "Farewell My Concubine". Leading artists and companies of traditional operas from around the country are also converging in the capital, bringing their best for performances scheduled for over a month organized by the Ministry of Culture.

The NCPA has produced a new version of super-classic Carmen as a gift to audiences in this year's Opera Festival.(File photo)

Folk music lovers are treated with a dozen of concerts featured the tunes of China's rich and diverse folk music. The Central Troupe of Folk Music will orchestrate a "Jasmine Flower Concert" to demonstrate the beauty of music from northwestern China.