Traditional opera staged for Olympic countdown

Thursday marked just 50 days until the August 8th opening of Beijing Summer Olympics. Well known artists from traditional Chinese operas across country converged on the capital for a gala event. It was at the Beijing Exhibition Center Theater.

It's rare to see such an event. China's traditional opera stars, from different parts of the country and from different opera traditions were there. Meng Guanglu and Yu Kuizhi came from Peking opera. There was Gu Wenyue of Pingju opera. Wei Chunrong of the Kungqu opera came to perform, so did Han Zifen of Huangmei opera. The best known singers from the regional operas came to perform at the same show - all in support of the Beijing Olympics. The orchestra of China's central Opera House accompanied the vocalists.

Thursday night brought a full house of about two thousand to the Beijing Exhibition Center Theatre. The gala was recorded for later broadcast on China Central Television's traditional opera channel.

From March to September, Beijing will see more than 600 performances presented by more than 140 troupes from China and around the world.