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China on Stage

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The sights and sounds of China's performing arts are instantly recognisable.

The sights and sounds of China's performing arts are instantly recognisable. This series takes us into a world of Chinese performance that is rarely seen outside of China.

The sights and sounds of China's performing arts are instantly recognisable. From the first plucked notes of a guzheng, to the drama of the Whip Dance, they conjure up a unique and unmistakable artistic world. In this series, we see how China's many and varied performers are finding exciting ways of synthesising China's artistic heritage with fresh global influences. We discover a China that's absorbing new ideas and art-forms hitherto unknown there, and hear how these have been infused with Chinese characteristics. Over six episodes we explore the traditional and the cutting edge in Chinese music, dance and theatre - from ballet to street dance, from Beijing opera to the latest pop - the series takes us into a world of Chinese performance that is rarely seen outside of China.  

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China on Stage: The Songs of China

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The Songs of China

BBC World News - China on Stage, The Songs of China

Jeff Crosby and Li Tong find out how modern China is reflected in the songs it sings.

In this six-part series, we see how China's performers are finding new ways of synthesising China's artistic heritage with fresh global influences.

The sights and sounds of China's performing arts are instantly recognisable; they conjure up a unique and unmistakable artistic world. In this six-part series, we see how China's performers are finding new ways of synthesising China's artistic heritage with fresh global influences. In this first episode, presenters Jeff Crosby and Li Tong find out how modern China is reflected in the varied songs it sings. Li Tong meets the 'V-singer' - virtual singer - phenomenon Luo Tianyi whose hit songs are written by her fans. Jeff travels to Inner Mongolia to spend time with the band Hanggai. Using ancient instruments, they have successfully combined rock with the folk songs of their homeland. And in Shanghai, the Rainbow Chamber Choir songs are snapshots of modern day urban life giving choral singing a unique Chinese twist. The series takes us into a world of Chinese performance that is rarely seen outside of China.

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