NCPA's production of Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera is a piece staged at a time when China is among the only countries with extra money to invest in opera.

NCPA has invited a production team headed by veteran director Hugo De Ana, who worked with La Scalas, Rossini Opera and Verona Opera House.

The vivid setting heralds back to opera's golden days in Italy or the Metropolitan in the US.

Internationally renowned Chinese soprano He Hui, who is busy overseas, will return to give her NCPA debut. She'll share the stage with Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang, who studied under Pavarotti and sang with the Three Tenors at the Forbidden City in June 2001, and baritone Liao Changyong. It's acclaimed as a "dream team of Chinese opera singers". Baritone Lado Ataneli and tenor Marius Marea will also join NCPA's production.

7:30 pm, May 24-27. National Center for the Performing Arts. 010-6655-0000.