China Philharmonic Orchestra

When the China Philharmonic Orchestra performs for Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican next week, it will start with Mozart's religiously inspired Requiem and end with a popular Chinese folk song called "Jasmine Flower." The concert Wednesday is a historic gesture that may help improve relations between the Vatican and Beijing, a major goal for this pope as he seeks to expand freedoms for Roman Catholics in China.

The white gloves are off in the rarefied world of classical music in China, where a nasty feud between two of the country's top orchestras has the art scene here abuzz. Mass defections by musicians, vitriolic published attacks, shadowy political intrigue--all are elements that have combined to make for a backstage drama full of as much \o7 sturm und drang \f7 as a Mahler symphony.