LIEUTENANT: Good afternoon, officer.
POLICEMAN: Good afternoon, Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT: Who are these people?
POLICEMAN: I have names and addresses, Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT: I want to ask some questions. Excuse me, where are you from?
ALEXANDER: I’m from Chicago.
LIEUTENANT: What do you do?
ALEXANDER: I’m a student.
LIEUTENANT: OK. Who are you?
NANCY: I’m Nancy Kim.
LIEUTENANT: Where do you live?
NANCY: I live at sixteen Carter Street.
LIEUTENANT: You, please. Where are you from?
MARTIN: I’m from Baltimore.
POLICEMAN: Look out.
LIEUTENANT: OK, OK. Move along.
POLICEMAN: Step aside. Watch your step.
MARTIN: Hello. I’m Martin Learner. I’m a reporter. I want to ask you some questions.
ALEXANDER: OK.
MARTIN: You’re a student.
ALEXANDER: Yes, I’m a student. I’m Alexander Macrakis.
MARTIN: Alexander Macrakis. Please write it for me.
ALEXANDER: OK.
MARTIN: Where are you from?
ALEXANDER: I’m from Chicago.
MARTIN: Hello. I’m Martin Learner. Who are you?
NANCY: Hi. I’m Nancy Kim.
MARTIN: Where do you live?
NANCY: I live at sixteen Carter Street. Where do you live?
MARTIN: I live in Baltimore. This is Alexander Macrakis.
NANCY: Hi. I’m Nancy. What do you do?
ALEXANDER: Hi, Nancy. I’m a student. I’m from Chicago.
PAULA: Excuse me, where is a telephone?
MARTIN: Sorry. I don’t know. I’m from Baltimore.
ALEXANDER: I don’t know. I’m from Chicago.
NANCY: Hi. I’m Nancy Kim.
PAULA: Hello. Where is a telephone?
NANCY: Go straight ahead. Turn left on Michigan Street. There is a telephone at the coffee shop.
PAULA: Thanks. By the way, I’m Paula Roberts.
NANCY: He’s Martin.
MARTIN: Martin Learner.
PAULA: What do you do?
MARTIN: I’m a reporter. What do you do?
PAULA: I’m a lawyer.
MARTIN: Where are you from?
PAULA: Here. I live here.
NANCY: I live here, too. He lives in Chicago. And he lives in Baltimore.PAULA: Let’s see. You’re Alexander. You’re Nancy. And you’re Martin.MARTIN: Wonderful.
PAULA: But the telephone. Where is the telephone?
NANCY: Go straight ahead. Turn left on Michingan Street. Then go to the coffee shop.
PAULA: Thank you very much. Goodbye.
ALL: Goodbye, bye, bye-bye.
POLICEMAN: Thank you for your time.
CAST: That’s all right. No trouble, don’t mentionit glad to help.
MARTIN: Well, goodbye, Alexander. Goodbye, Nancy.
ALEXANDER: Goodbye. Mr. Learner.
NANCY: Bye, Martin.
ALEXANDER: Nancy.
NANCY: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Please call me Alex.
NANCY: OK, Alex.
ALEXANDER: Where do you work, Nancy?
NANCY: I work at the Arizona Hotel.
ALEXANDER: Where is the Arizona Hotel.
NANCY: Straight ahead. Do you see that tall, glass building? That’s the Arizona Hotel.
ALEXANDER: What do you do?
NANCY: I’m an accountant. What are you studying?
ALEXANDER: I’m studying computers.
NANCY: That’s wonderful. I like computers.
ALEXANDER: Do you like coffee?
NANCY: Yes, I like coffee. I’m going to go to work.
Practice 3：用 Who are you? 询问别人姓名
Examples:POLICEMAN: Who are you?
PAULA: I’m Paula Roberts.
POLICEMAN: Who are you?
MARTIN: I’m Martin Learner.
POLICEMAN: Who are you?
NANCY: I’m Nancy Kim.
POLICEMAN: Who are you?
ALEXANDER: I’m Alexander Macrakis.

(Source: wwenglish.com)

join
participate
varied
uneven
unequal
irregular
take part in
attend
to join
to counsel
not uniform

Programme Introduction

Holding a connection with the drama Autumn Begins, the dance drama A Handful of Sour Dates showcases the strong will and sagacity of Shanxi merchants during the Ming and Qing Dynasty, praising their loyalty of love and honesty of the client. The storyline of the dance drama is based on the life experience of its choreographer and director Zhang Jigang, a native Shanxi people, who has devoted his unique understanding of both the culture of Shanxi merchants and the enchanting land. His choreography embodies a love tragedy with the scenes of red lanterns hanging in typical Shanxi big yards, sunset on ancient Silk Road as well as the colorful wild jujube woods.

Synopsis
A Handful of Sour Dates draws a vivid picture of a sorrowful love story with dance, music and stage art: during the early years of the Republic of China, Widow Jia has brought up her silly son, the young master Yin, who is the only child of the wealthiest family in Jinzhong, Shanxi. The seneschal of Family Jia manages to force the marriage between his bastard daughter Suanzao and the silly young master. However, true love has been burning between the laborious servant and Suanzao, who makes an oath to each other with a handful of sour dates. Their struggle against the fate stops when the seneschal puts poison into the love pouch of the poor lovers…

Huajin Dance Drama Troupe of Shanxi Occupational Art Institute
The Huajin Dance Drama Troupe of Shanxi Occupational Art Institute (SOAI) was established under the strategy of Shanxi Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government to build a “strong cultural province” and SOAI’s orientation towards combining the occupational art education institution with performance entities. Famous dance director Mr. Zhang Jigang is the lifelong artistic director of the Troupe. Since its establishment, the Troupe has participated in the 2008 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the 10th Awarding Ceremony of Five Excellent Works for Cultural and Ethical Progress and China Federation of Literary and Art Circles 2008 CCTV Spring Festival Evening Party. Besides, it has designed and organized such large shows as the Shanxi TV Spring Festival Evening Party, the opening ceremony of Pingyao International Photography Festival (for four years in a row) and “The Same Song” in Shanxi, and has received wide applause.

(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)

Conductor: Marco Parisotto
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts-Concert Hall
Dates: March 15, 2009    19:30
Price:  VIP    480    380    280    180    80 RMB

Programme Introduction

China National Symphony Orchestra
China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) is one of the most outstanding professional symphony orchestras in China. Originally founded as the Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China in 1956, the orchestra was restructured and renamed in 1996. Leading the CNSO into the future are Director Guan Xia (Composer), Laureate Conductor Muhai Tang, Principal Resident Conductor Li Xincao, and Principal Guest Conductor En Shao.

For almost half a century, the CNSO has introduced Chinese audiences to a vast repertoire of classical, romantic, modern and contemporary orchestral works by both Western and Asian composers.

Throughout its history, the CNSO has collaborated with many world famous artists in order to bring excellence to its audiences. CNSO audiences have been thrilled by famous conductors such as Ormandy, Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur, Slatkin, Rozhestvendsky, Schwarz and Peress. Other well-known guest artists have included composer and conductor Krzystof Penderecki, instrumentalists David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mutter, Martha Argerich, Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Shaham, Wang Jian, Lang Lang, Li Yundi, Lin Choliang and Lindemann.

The CNSO has toured throughout the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, Japan, DPR of Korea, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, giving successful performances to critical acclaim by the international press. In London, a music critic for The Times praised the CNSO as “a mature group with a vital sound”. American music critics noted that “the CNSO is an honorable member of the world music stage”. In Europe, critics headlined the orchestra as “a great orchestra appears among the Kings of Orchestral Music “.

Marco Parisotto
Born in Montreal, Marco Parisotto is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and visible conductors on the world stage today. A devoted and impassioned musician, he has appeared in major concert halls throughout North America, Europe and Asia, winning critical praise with numerous orchestras as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra,  New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Victoria Symphony, Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra, Teatro Verdi Trieste,  Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Georges Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, Göteborg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Opéra National de Bordeaux, Ville de Marseille, Orchestre National de Lille, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre Lamoureux at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Philharmonique de Liege, Orquesta Filarmónica de Chihuahua, Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra…

In his eleven-year tenure as Music Director of the Oshawa Durham Symphony Orchestra (ODSO), he has built the ODSO into a formidable ensemble prized by its city and region. In 2000 he was appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra making him the first foreign person to have held a director’s position in the history of the People’s Republic of China.

As somewhat of a record in the conducting world, Marco Parisotto is the winner of no fewer than seven major international competitions. He crowned these achievements in 1997 with the Besançon International Music Festival, joining the ranks of conductors like Seiji Ozawa, Michel Plasson, Zdenek Macal or Jesus Lopez Cobos. A first in this elite event’s history, he was awarded the Grand Prix as well as the Prix du Public. He gave the Shanghai premiere performances of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances in 2002.

Programs
Mendelssohn
The Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Mendelssohn
Wedding March

— Intermission —

Bruckner
Symphony No.9

(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)

International students crippled by a spate of college foreclosures this year will be exempt from paying 540 Australian dollars (about 499 U.S. dollars) visa fees to stay on in Australia as the country resets its immigration intake to attract the people it needs.

Last week, the Meridian International left thousands of students in Melbourne and Sydney looking for new courses or refunds.

“Where an education provider can no longer offer a course, the government’s primary concern is the welfare of the student,” Evans said. “We understand that these situations are not the fault of the student.”

Meanwhile, the government will raise the amount of savings international students need to demonstrate they can afford life in Australia.

From next year, prospective overseas students must show they can access at least 18,000 Australian dollars (about 16,657 U.S. dollars) a year, on top of tuition fees, up from 12,000 Australian dollars (about 11,104 U.S. dollars).

“International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia but the primary purpose of a student visa is to study and students should not rely on part-time work to meet their expenses,” Evans said.

Despite negative reports worldwide about international students in Australia living in poverty and being attacked, international students to Australia grew by a fifth in the year to June 30.

Indians overtook Chinese as the biggest student market, with more than 65,000 students were granted visas last year, increasing 37 percent from the year before.

(Source: xinhuanet.com)

The Tiger Hill lies about 3.5 kilometers to the northwest of Changmen Gate, Suzhou City. Known as the best view of southern Jiangsu Province and northern Zhejiang Province, it was originally called Haiyong (sea surge) Mountain, 36 meters high and covering some 20 hectares. The grave of He Lü, one of the five greatest kings during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) is in the Tiger Hill; Qin Emperor Shihuang (249-210BC), the first emperor of China, used to climb up onto the mountain for watching its fantastic views; Xiang Yu (232-202BC), the ruler of west Chu state, gathered together his troops to rebel against the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) in the Tiger Hill; when Bai Juyi (772-846), the famous poet of the Tang dynasty (618-907), once acted as the prefecture governor of Suzhou City, he organized people to draw water through the mountain and build a causeway so that the Tiger Hill became even more beautiful. Ancient people believed the Tiger Hill had nine great scenes: moon, snow, rain, fog, early spring, summer, fall, falling leaves, and sunset.

– Duanliang Palace

The Duanliang Palace in the Tiger Hill has a history of more than 600 years. It is characterized by the beam across the middle roof, which is made of two unconnected wooden rods. That is the reason the palace is called Duanliang (broken beam). Not a single nail can be found in the construction of the palace, which is joined together all through tenons.

– Hanhan Spring

The spring is still clear and sweet after over 1,000 years. It is said the spring water can cure eye illness.

– Tiger Hill Tower

The tower has a history of more than 1,000 years, and now becomes a symbol of the ancient Suzhou City.

– Shijian Stone

Shijian (sword testing) Stone is a huge stone with a deep and long crack running through it. The neat crack looks like being cut by a sharp sword. It is said that Gan Jiang (the husband) and Mo Ye (the wife) who lived in the Wu state during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) tested the male-female sword, which they later presented to He Lü (the King of Wu State), on this stone, and cut the stone into two halves.

– Sword Pool

The Sword Pool is the most interesting place in the Tiger Hill. According to the records, King He Lü was buried under the pool. It is called the Sword Pool because He Lü’s favorite golden sword was buried together with him under the pool.

– Yongcui Villa

It is a small park in the mountain, built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Though it is not large, it is very elegant and pretty.

– Wanjing Villa

It is a park of bonsais, covering an area of 1.7 hectares with a construction area of 1,400 square meters. Bonsais here are exquisite and delicate, and the rockery sheer and steepy. There are pine trees and vines, partly covering those nice buildings. Water lilies are floating on a pool of clear water while waterfalls can be heard singing graceful songs.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

Big discovery in Chongqing Municipality

Archaeologists in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality unearthed more than 20 pieces of brick reliefs from a tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty in January 2004.

Lin Bizhong, a noted archaeologist from the Chongqing Municipal Archaeological Team, said that this was the first time bricks with molded designs had ever been unearthed in Chongqing.

Such tomb bricks had only been excavated in Chongqing and are now under State protection.

Lin acknowledged that since the brick-and-stone-structured tomb was robbed, the only valuable items that remained were the brick reliefs.

Designs on the bricks include horse-drawn carriages accompanied by guards, the image of Fuxi (China’s ancient sun god), and images of high-nosed and hollow-eyed people, who may have been from various Chinese ethnic groups or foreigners.

According to experts, designs of horse-drawn carriages accompanied by guards indicate that the tomb owner was someone of high social status; bricks with the image of Fuxi are important materials for studying the religion and culture of the period; and the images of foreigners reflected cultural exchanges between the East and West in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Archaeologists also found traces of red hues on the bricks, which, they say, may be traces of color painting.

（Source: chinaculture.org）

CAST: Look out! Did you see that? Stand back. What happened? Is anyone hurt? Where did he come from?
POLICEMAN: All right, all right. Stand back. Move. Stand back.ALEXANDER: Who are you?
POLICEMAN: I’m a policeman. Did you see the accident?
CAST: Yes, I did. Sure. I was standing right herr. Well. I think so.POLICEMAN: I want your names and addresses. OK. Who are you?
PAULA: I am Paula Roberts.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
PAULA: I live at fifty-five Georgia Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you work?
PAULA: I work at Johnson’s.
POLICEMAN: What is the address?
PAULA: Three-oh-seven California Street.
POLICEMAN: Thanks. OK. Who are you?
MARTIN: I’m Martin Learner. I’m a reporter.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
MARTIN: I live in Baltimore.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live in Baltimore?
MARTIN: I live at fourteen-twenty-seven Grant Street.
POLICEMAN: OK. Who are you?
NANCY: I’m Nancy Kim.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
NANCY: I live at sixteen Carter Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you work?
NANCY: I work at the Arizona Hotel.
POLICEMAN: What is the address?
NANCY: The address is ten-eighty Arizona Street.
POLICEMAN: Good. Now. Who are you?
ALEXANDER: I’m Alexander Macrakis.
POLICEMAN: Please spell it for me.
ALEXANDER: M-A-C-R-A-K-I-S.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
ALEXANDER: I live in Chicago.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live in Chicago?
ALEXANDER: I live at nine-three-eight North Florida Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you work?
ALEXANDER: I’m a student.
POLICEMAN: Where are you a student?
ALEXANDER: At the Mills Institute of Technology. Practice 1： 美国人说地址的方法与中国人不同，是由小到大的顺序，即由门牌号到街再到城市的顺序。住在哪一号要用介词 at。
Examples:  POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
PAULA: I live at fifty-five Georgia Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
MARTIN: I live at fourteen-twenty-seven Grant Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
NANCY: I live at sixteen Carter Street.
POLICEMAN: Where do you live?
ALEXANDER: I live at nine-three-eight North Florida Street.

(Source: wwenglish.com)

mix

Programme Introduction

Figure-hugging Chinese cheongsam, a pallet of all the gorgeous colors you can imagine on a theatrical stage, breathtaking melodies, characteristic setting, close-knit arrangements of dancing movements and many more make Raise the Red Lantern a hit worldwide shortly after its debut. It creates great stir in the world ballet community and receives a shower of media praises across Europe. Thanks to it, the National Ballet of China was nominated for the British National Dance Award (the dance world’s equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Foreign Dance Company.

World Tour
Since its world premiere in May 2, 2001, the National Ballet of China presented the full length ballet of Raise the Red Lantern in more than 20 major cities in  China as well as on a world tour to Singapore, Italy, France, UK, USA, Australia, Mexico and Russia. In August 2008, it will debut in Covent Garden, London and in October will embark on a 5-city Korean tour. The ballet’s tour hit the following cities:

May 2001, World Premiere, Tianqiao Theatre, Beijing, China

July 2001, Taibei Cultural Centre, Taiwan, China

March 2002, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Macao Cultural Centre, China

Oct. – Nov. 2002, Esplanade-Theatres On the Bay, Singapore

Oct. - Nov. 2003, European Tour, Modena and Parma Italy, Maison de le Culture at Nevers, Auditorium at Dijon and Thèatre musical de Paris Châtelet, France, and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, UK.

Sept. - Oct. 2005, USA Tour, UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, San Francisco, Segerstrom Hall of Orange County Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC, Howard Gilman Opera House of Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York

April 2006, the Capitol Theatre, Sydney

June 2007, Athens Concert Hall，Greece

Oct. 2007 Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato-Mexico

Nov. 2007, Year of China in Russia, the Central Army Theatre, Moscow

August 2008, Convert Garden (Royal Opera House), London

October 2008, Korean Tour

Synopsis
Prologue
1920s, China. In a quiet courtyard, a young girl is forced into a bridal palanquin. She is going to be the second concubine of the master of the house. Before getting into the palanquin, she remembers her childhood lover – a young actor from a Peking opera group (Xi Ban).

Act I
In the joyful atmosphere of the wedding, the wife and the first concubine of the master welcome the second concubine into the family with complex emotional undertones. During the wedding night, despite her desperate resistance, the bride is finally overcome by her tragic destiny.

Act II
The master passes time with his wife and concubines by watching Peking opera and playing mah-jong. The second concubine sneaks out for a while to meet her former lover, the young actor. But their secret is discovered by the first concubine who has ulterior motives.

Act III
The two lovers continue their love affairs in secret. The first concubine tells the master about their affair. The master catches the two lovers who bravely confess without hesitation. The first concubine tries to use this occasion to renew her favor in the eyes of the master. However, she received a heavy slap on the face instead. Driven by depression, she grabs the lighting stick, which symbolizes the master’s power over his household and lights all the red lanterns hanging in her yard. In great fury, the master orders his minions to execute the first concubine who dares to break his house law.

Epilogue
The two lovers and the first concubine are taken to the execution ground. Facing death, they forget their hostilities, and reconcile with each other. In tolerance and affection, they embrace together. Feudalism strangles their young life and beautiful love.

National Ballet of China
Founded on 31 December 1959, the National Ballet of China is China’s only national ballet company.  Its dancers and musicians are all graduates from professional dance academies and music conservatories across China. Since the day it was founded, the company has received continuous support from the Chinese government. In its early days, Russian ballet master Pyotr Gusev and other Russian teachers helped lay a solid foundation for the company using their experience in the Russian School of classical ballet. For more than 40 years, the National Ballet of China has introduced many outstanding classical ballets and contemporary ballet works to the Chinese audience. At the same time, it has attached great importance to creating a unique fusion between western classical ballet and Chinese culture. They have achieved this by creating their own ballets, which represents the varied characteristics of the Chinese nation. Today, the company has a broad repertoire and has successfully trained many generations of outstanding artists. Through international cultural exchange, The National Ballet of China has attracted the attention of the international ballet world.

(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)