New twist on old tales – Monaco’s ballet reinterprets the classics

For most theater managers, reproducing classics is one of easiest ways to guarantee attendance. But artists who try their hand at reproduction face greater risks.

Beats of the land – Artist’s persistence saves ethnic heritage

Percussion instruments are the oldest of any traditional instrument in China.
The earliest archaeological evidence of Chinese percussion music was discovered in Shanxi Province, where massive drums were made to celebrate the triumph of Li Shimin’s army durig Tang Dynasty (618-907). Drumming in Shanxi Province can be dated back centuries earlier to Xinjiang County, the ancient name of Jiangzhou, in present-day Shanxi Province.

Time to return – Leading artists assemble to define contemporary art

The China Avant-Garde Exhibition, held at the National Art Museum of China 21 years ago, was the first time many in the West saw contemporary Chinese art. Critics of the day called it the final curtain for the ’85 New Wave Art Movement, a vague period of time in the mid-’80s when Chinese Avant-Garde emerged.

Music the new vessel for traditional philosophy

Traditional culture is undergoing a resurgence across the mainland, and at the vanguard is Ha Hui, a singer whose music has been called “ceremonial music of the 21st Century” and been characterized by Grammy Awards judges as uniquely Chinese.

Digitized urban life – Art exhibition analyzes man-city relationship

Every city has its symbols: the Brandenburg Gate is as iconic of Berlin as Tian’anmen is of Beijing. But cities are about more than recognizable imagery.

Sound of the East – Asia the future of classical music?

It is easy to find master conductors and virtuosos from Asia, but the list of top classical orchestras today is still dominated by European and North American groups.

‘I don’t believe in Utopia’ – Curtains open on mainland’s first tent theater

Rapid urbanization is creating new ghettos at an unprecedented rate and poverty continues to haunt the modern world. As unlikely as it may sound, theater is needed now more than ever. At least a certain brand of theater.

Trampling mora borders – Cologne Opera asks What if Don Giovanni lived today?

Don Juan is a legendary libertine whose story has been told many times by many authors in many languages. Spanish Baroque dramatist Tirso de Molina first put the character in a play in 1630. Among the Don’s best-known appearances are Molière’s play in French, Byron’s epic poem in English and Pushkin’s play in Russian.

Unstable soul – Penetrating life through documentary

Wu Wenguang, a 54-year-old independent documentary filmmaker and founder of independent documentary in China, proves in his films that reality is the smasher of ideals. For the first 10 years of his career he was a recorder of lives, watching people struggle to pursue their dreams.

Forever Pina – Photos, film mark choreographer’s death

On June 30, 2009, German dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch died at 68 – five days after she was diagnosed with cancer. Bausch was a giant of European contemporary dance during the last 35 years, shaping by her steps the dance and theater scenes.