Top music artists including opera singer Jessye Norman and pianist Lang Lang will grace the stage at the upcoming Eighth Shanghai International Arts Festival from October 18 to November 18.

The organizing committee has announced 74 performances and 12 exhibitions for the festival, with highlights including concerts by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sachsische Staatskapelle Dresden, a dance show from the Sydney Dance Company and contemporary dance from the Jin Xing Dance Company.

A rainbow of talents including South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun and Chinese ballet dancer Tan Yuanyuan will take part in the annual event. A Mexican Cultural Week will feature five Mexican performances.

(Shanghai Daily September 1, 2006)