To kick off the show, Carreras will sing "Io conosco un giardino" from Bernstein's "Maristella."

He is also going to perform "Musica Proibita" and "Lamento di Federico" from Cilea's "L'Arlesiana," which he sang to kick off their first joint concert in Rome in July 1990.

Domingo will first sing "Ch'ella mi creda" from Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West," then Tosca's "E lucevan le stelle" and "No puede ser" from Sorozabal's "La Tabernera del Puerto" - both his signature tunes.

The Spanish tenor, who was born in a family of "zarzuela" folk singers, will also sing some of these traditional pieces.

Pavarotti's three solo pieces are "Recondita armonia" from "Tosca," Lare's "Granada" and "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot."

It is widely assumed that Domingo and Carreras will not miss the opportunity of singing "Turandot" in the place where the story actually took place, and since the two once challenged Pavarotti to sing it, it is quite possible the three tenors will sing it together.

Another three series of songs will push the concert to one climax after another.

The first series, "Melange de Roman," will come just before the intermission. It includes "Solamente una vez," "Maria, Mari," "Parlami d'amore Mariu," "Tu, ca nun chiagne," "Manha de Carnaval" and "Ti voglio tanto bene."

The "Around the World Medley" is the second series, which consists of "Be My Love," "Marechiare," "Santa Lucia Luntana," "Te Quiero Dijiste" and "Toma a Surriento."

The last is "A Tribute to Hollywood," when the audiences will enjoy familiar favourites such as "My Way," "Moon River," "Because" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Possible encores include "La donna e mobile-Bb," "Amapola" and "O Sole Mio."

The last song is tentatively set for "Libiamo ne'lieti calici" from Verdi's "La traviata."

Since the three tenors will all perform Alfredo, there will be three Chinese sopranos to perform Violetta.

There is still a mystery about which Chinese song the Three Tenors will actually sing.

The Symphony Orchestra of the Central Opera Theatre, which will accompany the concert, has received all the scores for rehearsal.

Huang Xiaoman, vice-president of the Central Opera Theatre, said: "The symphony orchestra of the Central Opera Theatre is obviously the best choice to play for the singers."

"We will spare no effort for the concert and will not rehearse for anything else beforehand," Huang said.

Guest conductor Janos Ace will arrive in Beijing on June 18 to start work with the orchestra.

The renowned conductor has conducted almost all the Three Tenor concerts during the past decade.

A huge stage will be set up 10 days before the concert. More than 600 workers and professional stage designers will join in building the stage, which is estimated the largest stage in China at 38 metres long, 12 metres high and covering an area of 700 square metres.

Date: June 23, 2001

Venue: Wumen Gate Square of Forbidden City, Beijing

Tel for ticket bookings: 65546666(Chinese) 65546517(English) 65545117(English) 65518888, 65526600/01/02/03/04/05/06/07

Fax: 65546566

Website: www.Chinaticket.com.cn

(China Daily 06/08/2001)