Art beat (March 22-April 26)

Beijing

Chinese women artists

The Chinese Museum of Women and Children is presenting the 2nd Chinese Women Artists Exhibition, demonstrating the remarkable contribution women have made to China's art world. The exhibition assembles works from China's first-class women artists born after the 1930s. Varied in styles and subjects, these works document their makers' life experiences. At the hall center, Tao Aimin's large installation, Woman River, created in 2005, draws the most attention. The work is an arrangement of 56 washing boards collected from rural China into the shape of a river. Portraits of their users, who are all elderly women, are painted on every board, reflecting the devotion of women throughout history.

9 am-5 pm, except Monday, until April 26. The Chinese Museum of Women and Children, 9 Beijige Road, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6526-9678.

Polish string quartet

[Photo/China Daily]

The Lutoslawski Quartet from Poland will give a concert in Beijing, performing Szymanowski's String Quartet, Witold Lutoslawski's String Quartet and Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8. Named after Polish composer and orchestral conductor Witold Roman Lutoslawski, the ensemble is composed by violinists Jakub Jakowicz, Marcin Markowicz, Artur Rozmyslowicz and cellist Maciej Mlodawski. Founded in 2007, the young ensemble has appeared at international music festivals and given concerts around the world. In 2009, they recorded the world's first album featuring Witold Lutoslawski's chamber works, which received the Fryderyk Award nomination.

7:30 pm, March 30. Forbidden City Concert Hall, west side of Tian'anmen, inside Zhongshan Park, Beijing. 010-6559-8285.

Best of Wagner, Verdi

[Photo/China Daily]

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of two great musicians - German composer Richard Wagner and Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi - China Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert with selections from their opera works. Under the baton of Italian conductor Massimo Zanetti (pictured), the concert will present songs including Verdi's Overture to Nabucco, Liber Scriptus from Requiem and Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde and Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure. Hungarian mezzo-soprano Ildiko Komlosi will join the performance.

7:30 pm, March 22. Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhua Street, Liubukou, Xicheng district, Beijing.

010-6417-7845.

Jumping strokes

[Photo/China Daily]

The National Art Museum of China is presenting the solo exhibition of Dai Dudu. Born and educated in Liaoning province, Dai has fused the enthusiasm that his hometown brought him with his works. The strokes and colors appear to jump on canvas. The artist is always willing to try new subjects. Whether big or small pieces, he makes sure that his imagination is stretched as much as possible. In one work, art master Dali (1904-89) sits on a chair and floats above a city. In another work, seven great Chinese and foreign artists from different times are portrayed together. He says he can paint as freely as a king in front of canvas.

9 am-5 pm, until March 28. Hall 6, National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing.

010-8403-3500

A classic repertoire

The National Peking Opera Company kicked off a three-week festival to showcase its young emerging artists on March 19. Running until April 7, more than 60 performers will play 17 full-length Peking Operas at the Mei Lanfang Grand Theater. Audiences will enjoy the classical repertoire of General of the Yang's Family, Mu Guiying Takes Command, The Story of Susan and Return of the Phoenix. Meanwhile, you can apply to be a member of Friends of Peking Opera, the company's membership club, and enjoy discounted tickets and join club activities.

7:30 pm, till April 7. No 48 Ping'anli Xidajie, Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-610-3721, 010-5166-4135.