麻豆社

The sights and sounds of China's performing arts are instantly recognisable; they conjure up a unique and unmistakable artistic world. In this six-part series, we see how China's performers are finding new ways of synthesising China's artistic heritage with fresh global influences. In this first episode, presenters Jeff Crosby and Li Tong find out how modern China is reflected in the varied songs it sings. Li Tong meets the 'V-singer' - virtual singer - phenomenon Luo Tianyi whose hit songs are written by her fans. Jeff travels to Inner Mongolia to spend time with the band Hanggai. Using ancient instruments, they have successfully combined rock with the folk songs of their homeland. And in Shanghai, the Rainbow Chamber Choir songs are snapshots of modern day urban life giving choral singing a unique Chinese twist. The series takes us into a world of Chinese performance that is rarely seen outside of China.