STAGE

Romeo & Zhu Yingtai, the song-and-dance play which draws on Romeo and Juliet and its eastern equivalent set in 1930s Shanghai, will hit the stage from May 8. It promises to be a visual treat featuring singing, dancing, acrobatics and magic tricks. In Chinese with no subtitles

7:15 pm, May 8-25, June 10-29

288 Anfu Lu, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center

6473-0123

A group of young artists from the Shanghai Opera House give an innovative presentation of Le Villi, an opera-ballet composed by Giacomo Puccini. The prominent Italian conductor Bruno Dal Bon has been specially invited to join the show in the memory of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Puccini.

7:15 pm, May 10-11

425 Dingxiang Lu, Shanghai Oriental Art Center

6854-1234

CONCERTs

Taiwanese pop R&B singer and songwriter David Tao comes to Shanghai for a solo concert. Last July, Tao's concert We Are All Wooden Men was ruined by a big storm and some fans had to leave before the end of the show. Tao promises something new for fans who were at last year's concert.

7:30 pm, May 10

444 Jiangwan Lu E., Hongkou Soccer Stadium

6217-3055

Isabelle Perrin, one of the world's foremost harpists, is coming to Shanghai for a performance. After having completed her harp studies at the Conservatoire de Nice, Isabelle Perrin gave her first recital at the age of 17. Inspired by her personality, a few world-known composers like Pierick Houdy, Bernard Andres, wrote especially for her for harps and orchestras.

7:45 pm, May 11

425 Dingxiang Lu, Shanghai Oriental Art Center

6854-1234

Steven Curtis Chapman, a five-time Grammy award winner who has sold more than 10 million records, and his band will hold a solo recital in Shanghai to debut a selection of songs specially created to share his experience in adopting orphans.

7:15 pm, May 10

1376 Nanjing LuW., Shanghai Center Theater

6217-2426

Over the course of four records - including Not Going Anywhere (2003) and Nolita (2004) - New York and Paris-based artist Keren Ann has racked up accolades for original compositions that put a fresh perspective on the age-old art of songwriting. At the concert, Ann will perform a selection of works in her albums, including Liberty, Lay Your Head Down, It Ain't No Crime and Where No Endings End.

7:30 pm, May 10

523 Yan'an Lu E., Shanghai Concert Hall

6386-2836

To celebrate the form of the chorus in the middle ages 600 years ago, 95-year-old Chinese chorus master Ma Geshun will lead the Shanghai Symphony Chorus to perform a selection of classic works from Mozart, Mendelssohn, Verdi, Morley, etc.

7:30 pm, May 15

523 Yan'an Lu E., Shanghai Concert Hall

6386-2836

Exhibitions

Conceptual artist Wang Jianwei was awarded the Nobel Prize in the field of contemporary art by the Foundation for Contemporary Arts of the United States in February 2008, making him the first and only Chinese artist to win the prize. His new solo exhibition, Hostage continues to examine his themes of placing people and objects out of context to examine knowledge and reality.

10 am-4:30 pm, until May 18

No. 28, Lane 199 Fangdian Lu, Shanghai Zendai Museum of Modern Art

5033-9803

The paintings of Zhang Wenjia, a young Chinese contemporary artist, show a different attitude toward life and nature and reflect the inner conflicts of Chinese youth.

1 pm-6 pm, until May 22

50 Moganshan Lu, Bldg. 4, Ground floor, Gallery 55

6266-4108

(China Daily 05/09/2008 page22)