Offering a glimpse into the last dynasty of China, Lone Star College Cy-Fair's Windows on the World will present "A Dream of Red Mansions," a Chinese opera, Saturday, March 31.

Held at the Main Stage Theatre in the Center for the Arts building, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress at 3 p.m., the concert choir will perform the opera that tells a heartbreaking love story from the Qing Dynasty.

Audiences will learn about the dress, instrumentation and daily life and emotions of the people in the time period through the opera's songs.

"This opera is a wonderful cultural experience for the entire family," said Alex Qian, LSC-Cy-Fair's artistic director of vocal activities. "It's been an exciting opportunity for our students to learn a language, the big picture of China's history and its related culture from the Qing Dynasty."

The production consists of about 40 people, including dancers and musicians. More common instruments like the bass and cello will combine with traditional Chinese instruments in a meeting of the East and the West, Qian said.

"We want to introduce people to the traditional Chinese music that accompanies the opera played by the Chinese fiddle, the guzheng stringed instrument and the pipa (four-string lute)," he said.

Widely regarded as one of the top pieces of Chinese literature, Qian said this is the ideal story to teach Americans about Chinese culture history.

Through their costumes, students had the chance to learn about the unique wardrobes of the Qing Dynasty.

"Depending how they dressed, you could tell if they were sad or happy through a very subtle difference," Qian said.

Tickets cost $15; senior citizens pay $10 per ticket. There are group discounts available. For more information or to order tickets, call 281-290-5201 or go to lonestar.edu/boxoffice.