Performers of the new Chinese opera "Xi Shi" demonstrate the xiangji tap dance at a press conference in Beijing on October 26, 2009. [CRIENGLISH.com]

A new Chinese opera will attempt to reprise the world's earliest tap dance that has so far only been described in historical documents.

"Xi Shi," which will open at Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, is an ode to Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Historical records suggest that Xi Shi, who lived in the 5th century BC, created the dancing genre of xiangji, literally "sounding clogs."

During a press conference on Monday, a group of dancers demonstrated how xiangji dance differs from modern tap dance, which was developed in the United States in the 19th century. Each of the wooden "sounding clogs" is attached with a string of small bells, which create echoing sounds as the dancers tap the floor to the rhythm.

"No one really knows exactly how Xi Shi danced the xiangji, because we can only read it in historical documents," said Xiao Yanying, the opera's choreographer. "In our show, we incorporate our own ideas with a modern perspective."

"Xi Shi" will run at the National Center for the Performing Arts until November 5.

Sopranos Zhang Liping and Xu Xiaoying will share the title role on different days. Reputed tenors Dai Yuqiang and Wei Song are also among the cast.

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