The Ballad of Canal, the first Chinese opera presented by the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), is poised to present the unique artistic texture and charm of folk music.

The opera tells the story of the 2,500-year-old Grand Canal, a manmade wonder running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to Beijing. For ages, the waterway has been an important trade link between the North and South of China.

The ambitious opera has an impressive lineup of well-known personnel from the industry, such as director Liao Xiaohong, writers Huang Weiruo and Dong Ni, singers Lei Jia and Wang Hongwei, and conductor Lu Jia.

7:30 pm, June 21-24. NCPA's opera house, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.