By Tara Tan, arts reporter

Her delicate features are framed by pretty curls, and Chinese pianist Chen Jie also has a winning smile.

But underneath all that lies a killer combination of level-headedness and quiet strength, armour necessary for a young female pianist forging her way in a male-dominated industry.

At age 23, she has already played in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Halls in New York, won numerous competitions such as the 2006 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the 2004 International Piano-e Competition, and even released her first album, Jie Chen: Chinese Piano Favourites, last year.

book it

• JIE CHEN PIANO RECITAL
• Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
• When: Feb 8 at 7.30 pm
• Tickets: $38 to $68 from Sistic (go to www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348-5555)

A taste of arts activism

Shanghai-born playwright and theatre director Zhang Xian, 53, speaks with the upbeat but measured air of an experienced activist.

Because of the political and experimental nature of his works, he has been forced to operate mostly in Chinese underground art circles or overseas.

He is no stranger to clashing with authority: In 1980, when he was a student at Shanghai Theatre Academy, he was thrown into jail for a year after being accused of 'divulging national secrets' when interacting with a group of international students.

book it

• TONGUE'S MEMORY OF HOME
• Who: Zuhe Niao
• When: Feb 7 and 8, 8pm
• Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio
• Tickets: $35 from Sistic (go to www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348-5555)

Tenor who sings it all

By Adeline Chia, arts reporter

Expect renowned Chinese tenor Fan Jingma to offer his 'best suit' when he performs a selection of Chinese and Western opera pieces and folk songs at the Esplanade Concert Hall on Saturday.

'There will be a good mix of common songs and more obscure ones. The atmosphere will be relaxed and the audience will get to enjoy different cultures and musical styles,' he told Life! while shuttling between Qingdao and Shanghai last week.

The 110-minute concert by the self-proclaimed 'do-all singer' will be performed in Mandarin, Italian and Russian at the concert.

book it

• FAN JINGMA VOCAL RECITAL
• Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
• When: Saturday, 7.30pm
• Admission: $38, $48 & $68 from Sistic (go to www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348-5555)

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