A show by a group of Peruvian artists showing tonight at Beijing's Tianqiao Theater captures the mysterious history, natural wonders and the lives of these Andean people.

Alejandro Toledo, president of Peru who is visiting China will attend the show.

Directed by Eduardo San Roman, the multi-media song and dance show, including an overture and four movements, will take you through three cultural periods "Nasca" "Moche" and "Inca" in the scores of centuries of Peruvian history

The Nasca gods, the Moche's Milky Way deity and the Punchao of the Incas lead the audience through the whole narration. The forces of nature, the gods, the religion, traditions, beliefs and festivities become portraits in this magical journey through time and space.

In the overture, an actor dialogues with nature as he searches for his identity.

The first movement recounts how 2,000 years ago the Nasca, established on the desert coast of southern Peru, captured a vision of the cosmos in their glorious textiles and pottery. The water, the seed and ancestor worship, combined with the cycle of life, were the bases for their perception of reality.

The second movement focuses on the "world of Moche," dominant for 1,500 years on the northern coast of Peru. This outstanding culture survived until modern times. Their beliefs and social systems were captured in their wonderful art and murals.

The Inca civilization takes up the third movement.

While the closing section features many Peruvian dances which capture the traditions and cultural diversity of the country.

Peruvian musician Manuel Miranda composed much of the music and directs the show, while Juan Carlo Castillo and Joksan Balcazar choreographed the traditional and contemporary dance routines. The show also features singer Maria Jess Rodrguez and a six-man band, including the composer Miranda.

(China Daily June 3, 2005)