Art beat in August

Verdi's dramatic masterpiece

Rigoletto, a co-production between Teatro Regio di Parma (Parma Opera House) and the National Center for the Performing Arts, will return for four shows. This incarnation of Giuseppe Verdi's classic opera features dramatic compositions and vivid portraits of the cast of characters. Legendary tenor Leo Nucci, 72, received a standing ovation when he performed the title role in 2009. He is now set to return to the NCPA stage. Pedro Halffter Caro, artistic director of both Seville's Teatro de la Maestranza and Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla, will take the baton of the NCPA's orchestra and choir. A mixed cast from China and abroad will perform the other roles.

7:30 pm, July 31-Aug 3. National Center for the Performing Arts, West of Tian'anmen Square, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.

Photographs show China in 1945

Dozens of black and white aerial photographs of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Qingdao taken by American military pilots in 1945 are open to public viewing for the first time at the World Art Museum. The images that form a rich landscape of Chinese cities and the countryside from decades ago are from the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States. The show also has a 4-meter-long panoramic view of Beijing, shot by Italian-British photographer Felice Beato (1840-1909) in October 1860.

9 am-5 pm, daily except for Mondays, until Aug 3. Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, 9/A Fuxing Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing. 010-5980-2222.