In celebration of the Chinese New Year 2018, 20 wonderful performances of five troupes will be offered by the NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) to the broad masses, so as to embrace the Lunar Year of the Dog for the art world.

From February 17^th-21^st (i.e., the 2^nd -6^th Chinese New Year Days), the Irish Traditional Tap Dance, Beijing Wind Orchestra, China Radio and Film Symphony Orchestra, China National Theatre for Children and Jingju Theatre Company of Beijing will successively hold the spotlight in four auditoriums of the NCPA, and convey the sincerest New Year’s greetings for all audience members by displaying multiple forms of dance, music, drama and Chinese traditional opera.

Celtic Legends, an Irish tap dance filled with passion

From 17^th-21^st, the Irish traditional tap dance will be the first to come on stage at the NCPA Opera House, and present Celtic Legends with full passion. Tap dance is always favoured by domestic audiences. Created in 2002, the outstanding tap dance work Celtic Legends blends Irish classical dance and traditional music, which is inspired by the verdant hills of Connemara, Ireland. The most striking “Queuing Dance” will be presented by a dozen cast members lining up in a row. They take the stage with brilliant flashes of speed by beating the ground more than 20 times per second. The whole stage bursts into the most stirring tempo with dynamic effect.

From Feb 17^th-19^th,under the baton of conductors Chad R. Nicholson and LI Fangfang, the Beijing Wind Orchestra will present three thematic concerts one after another. On. 17^th, the concert will feature Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and theme music from films Saving Private Ryan, Tom and Jerry and more. On 18^th, the concert will highlight two classics: Overture to Der Fliegende Holländer by Wagner and Clarinet Concerto in A major by Mozart. On 19^th, the concert will present popular waltzes, the theme music from films Legends of the Fall and The Sound of Music, as well as Spring Festival Overture by LI Huanzhi.

From Feb.20^th-21^st, the China Radio and Film Symphony Orchestra will also greet the Chinese New Year with two concerts. On 20^th, Latin works will be presented, such as Tango Jalousie, Costa Ricans (Tico Tico) and Libertango. On 21^st, worldwide folk ballads will be performed so as to convey new year greetings from the rest of the world.

DU Zhenjie in The Rouge Pleat

Celebrating the Spring Festival and appreciating Chinese operas are traditional Chinese folk customs. According to the performance schedule of Jingju Theatre Company of Beijing, on Feb. 17^th, as a couple engaged in Peking Opera, WANG Rongrong and DU Peng will star in the traditional work, The Pearl Shirt. On 18^th, as a master of Ma School, ZHU Qiang will star in Ma School classic Guangtai Village. On 19^th, CHI Xiaoqiu will present The Unicorn Purse. On the 20^th, Peking Opera master DU Zhenjie will star in The Rouge Pleat. Guangtai Village is a work highlighting both the vocal and martial scenes, which was used to be Peking Opera maestro MA Lianliang’s early masterpiece. After disappearance from the stage for about 60 years, the revival of Guangtai Village is of great significance.

The NCPA also provides wonderful dramas for children during the holiday season. From Feb.18^th to 21^st, the China National Theatre for Children will present a drama Idioms Rubik’s Cube 4 in the NCPA Theatre. Based on the three idiomatic stories, i.e., “Lord Ye Professes to Love Dragons”, “Blind Imitation with Ludicrous Affection” and “Paradox”, the drama demonstrates the wisdom contained in the idioms. In the part of “Lord Ye Professes to Love Dragons”, design for maneuvering Dragon Puppet will allow performers to “dance” on stage. In the part of “Blind Imitation with Ludicrous Affection”, such elements as bridge and lotus pond will be used to show picturesque conceptions of the southeastern China. The part of “Paradox” will blend changes in stage scenery pieces and the props with the live performance, thereby impressing the children with unique and memorable experiences to celebrate the Lunar New Year.