Established in 1952, the Beijing-based ensemble is made up of dancers and musicians from 37 ethnic groups in China.

Its main aim is to collect and develop ethnic groups' folk dances and music.

Since its establishment, the troupe, with a professional staff of more than 400 singers, dancers and instrumentalists, has accumulated more than 100 dance and music pieces.

The song and dance ensemble spends much of the year traveling throughout ethnically populated areas. It has also toured more than 30 countries to showcase China's wealth of artistic talent.

And the group has produced more than its fair share of well-known artists over the past five decades, many of whom are still popular with audiences.

Among them are "peacock dance" artist Yang Liping of the Bai people, mezzo-soprano Dedema and pop singer Tenger of the Mongolian ethnic group, tenor Jiang Dawei of the Han people and Wu Tong of the Manchu people.

Some of the performers moved out of the spotlight over the years, like Jiang Dawei, whose songs "In the Place Where the Peach Blossoms are Blooming" and "Song of the Peony" were once household names. Jiang moved to Canada while others like Dedema have not been singing because of ill health.

But audiences will be able to enjoy performances from all of the troupe's beloved artists as they return to the stage for the birthday celebrations.

Jiang, 47, former president of the ensemble, said: "Though I have left the ensemble, I always love the ensemble and treasure the years I spent there, performing with the brothers and sisters of minorities.

"So, hearing of the performances for the 50th anniversary, I come back to join the rehearsal without hesitation."

After suffering from a stroke in 1998, Dedema, in her 60s, was forced into retirement. But she has recovered and is once again able to sing.

"I will sing the song 'The Beautiful Grassland is My Hometown' by which most audiences got to know me," she said.

"The young dancers of the ensemble will accompany my song."

Li Yushan, president of the ensemble, said: "The audiences love the minority artists because their performances are rich in original folk flavor."

Five decades had passed, several generations of singers and dancers had come and gone, but their hearts never left their hometown, Li said.

"Now we want to introduce some young singers and dancers to the audiences through the shows, who are as good as the old artists," artistic director Ding Wei said.

"We are trying our best to bring the cream of our ensemble onto the stage. It should be a feast for the audiences with both the popular artists' performances and the impressive stage setting and lighting."

According to Ding, songs and dances from a few ethnic groups of only several thousand people -- such as the Oroqen, Qiang and Ewenki -- will appear during the event.

"They are very rare in the common shows," said Ding, who revealed that the anniversary shows would also feature newly-created folk songs and dances.

(China Daily August 5, 2002)