Britten opera "perfect" for China

Noye's Fludde, Benjamin Britten's much-loved children's opera, is to be performed in Beijing, China next month.

The show by the KT Wong Foundation and Northern Ireland Opera will be the first time an opera by Britten, one of the central figures in 20th century British classical music, will be performed to Chinese audiences.

The English composer, conductor and pianist's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is famous in China and Noye's Fludde is said to be a "perfect introduction" to his work, according to the opera's conductor Nicholas Chalmers. He describes the music as "charming and very accessible" and is sure "audiences of all ages will like what they hear."

Lady Linda Wong Davies, founder of THE KT Wong Foundation said Noye's Fludd "merges the traditional with the contemporary to celebrate both Chinese and Western culture" and spoke of how thrilled they were to be "bringing the first-ever Benjamin Britten opera to China."

The opera will take place as a part of the Beijing Music Festival at the Orange Hall, Sanlitun Village.