Best bets

Chen Sa Piano Recital

Date: Sept 10 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Center for the Performing Center

Price: 80-480 yuan

Over the past decade, Chen Sa has established herself as one of the most charismatic pianists of her generation. She earned critical acclaims at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000 and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2005 which began her professional performing career, bringing her evocative performances to audience around the world. In recent years, Chen has performed with many prestigious orchestras, some of which are the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and with renowned conductors including Sir Simon Rattle among many others.

St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet Rodin

Date: Sept 15-16 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Price: 160-880 yuan

Boris Eifman's ballet Rodin tells about the life and work of two great sculptors: Auguste Rodin and his disciple, mistress and Muse - Camille Claudel. The story of their love is truly a tragic one. For over 15 years Rodin and Claudel were one integral whole, both sensuously and creatively. The breakup of the lovers that ensued eventually was a fatal blow to the mental health of Camille leading to her tragic end. Half-forgotten, hardened, hopelessly impecunious, Camille goes mad. A paranoiac idea of a conspiracy against her being lead and inspired by Rodin himself incessantly torments the already weakened mind of the wretched woman. When she died, she was completely forgotten by all and everybody.

Drama Listening to Monk Hongyi by Director Tian Qinxin

Date: Sept 2-3 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Price: 100-580 yuan

This is not a stage play in the traditional sense. Multiple facets of Chinese Buddhist monk Hongyi will appear on the same stage. Instead of the linear time pattern, three-dimensional perception of monk Hongyi will be presented in an unusual way. This work is "master class" rather than a merely stage play, integrating a variety of unique stage means and enlightens the audiences with life instructions. Different performers, different moods, different space-time and different realms are brought into full play so that multifaceted demonstration is carried out for the same character.