MUSIC

A company featuring American operatic artists has arrived in Beijing to present the first prominent American cultural event there since the military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators last month. Although there is a U.S. travel advisory in effect for China, Joann Grillo, managing director of Ambassadors of Opera and Concert Worldwide, said, “No one in our government told us not to come. In fact, every American embassy and official along the way has encouraged us as a step toward friendship and peace.” The Ambassadors of Opera and Concert Worldwide, an independent company, has staged operas and musicals throughout the world since 1983.