Art beat in March and April

BEIJING

NTC presents Du Fu

[Photo provided to China Daily]

National Theater of China is to stage its latest work, Du Fu, which is based on the famous Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). Starring veteran actors, including Liu Peiqi and Zhang Jiasheng, and directed by Wang Xiaoying, the play tells of the poet's ambition to serve his country but his life, like the whole country, was devastated by wars and his last 15 years were a time of almost constant unrest. 7:30 pm, March 18-27. National Theater of China; 277 Guang'anmenwai Dajie (Street), Xicheng district. 400-610-3721.

Danish orchestra

Denmark's Concerto Copenhagen, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is to perform in Beijing. Under the baton of its founder, harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen, the orchestra will do pieces including Handel's A Suite from Water Music.

7:30 pm, Saturday. Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district. 010-6585-5755

Xian Xinghai onstage

After its premiere in Guangzhou last September, the Chinese musical, Xian Xinghai, will be performed in Beijing. Based on the story of Xian Xinghai (1905-45)－one of the earliest Chinese composers influenced by Western classical music－who is best known for his Yellow River Cantata, the musical revolves around the composer's early life and how he created music as a weapon to protest the Japanese occupation.

7:30 pm, March 25 and 26. China Theater; 16 west Third Ring Road, Haidian district. 4006-228-228.