"The Nutcracker" is one of the most popular compositions in the ballet repertoire. Tchaikovsky's music belongs to the Romantic Period and contains some of most memorable melodies, several of which are frequently used in television and film. Recently, a Chinese version "Nutcracker" was performed at the Harbin International Conference & Culture Center.

Different from the original "Nutcracker," the Chinese version tells a story that happens in a Hutong, an old-town area with narrow streets most commonly associated with Beijing. When a westerner gives a nutcracker as a gift to a child on Chinese New Year's Eve, it triggers a fantastic fairy tale.

Feng Ying, head of the National Ballet of China, said, "The Chinese version 'Nutcracker' describes how Chinese people celebrate our new year and tells the life of Chinese."

While people in north China are enjoying ballet, residents of Shenzhen, in the southern part of China, were offered a feast of classical music. The China National Opera House together with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra performed such pieces as "Artists' Life," "The Lady of the Camellias," and "The Marriage of Figaro."

Shen Na, soprano of the China National Opera House, said, "Since the audiences has few chances to enjoy opera, we picked some which is easy to understand. I hope more Shenzhen residents will fall in love with classic music through my efforts."

As the different troupes enjoy better prosperity, elegant arts increasingly become a part of people's life... not only in Beijing, the nation's cultural center, but in other regions as well.