"The attraction of the virtuoso for the public is very like that of the circus for the crowd," composer Claude Debussy once said. "There is always the hope that something dangerous will happen." When piano virtuoso and Debussy 'expert' Philippe Cassard performs a selection of Debussy's works this month, will he deliver the dynamic performance that Debussy recognised was the true passion of his audience? Cassard certainly has the experience, education and technique, but whether he has the panache to win over Guangzhou's audience remains to be seen. But if the international press is anything to go by, we are in for a treat.

If Debussy's music were a painting, it would probably be Claude Monet's 'Waterlilies'.. Known for being inspired by the Impressionist school of painting and literature, Debussy is considered the master of harmony and nuance. His subtle piano compositions are demanding pieces to play but according to post-performance press, Cassard pulls it off with skill and flair. After a performance at London's Wigmore Hall, the Daily Telegraph gushed: "Cassard possesses galvanizing insight into the music... his glorious explosions of light, his volatile joy and subtlety of phrasing and nuance brings out the best interpretations of Debussy's musical sketches". High praise indeed.

Cassard has a kitty of prizes collected at international competitions, a string of titles after his name and a career that has seen him perform as a soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Orchestre Nationale de France, and the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Not to mention that he has stamina: he performed the complete piano works of Debussy in four recitals in a single day at the Festival de Besan?on in London.

Unpretentious and popular with his fellow performers, Cassard likes to mingle with his audience after a performance. In Guangzhou, he will give a lecture on French Impressionist piano music and invites comment from the audience. Chris Chow

Concert: Orchestra Hall, Xing Hai Concert Hall, 8pm, May 12. RMB 50, 80, 120, 150, 180 (a 20% discount applies if you buy a lecture ticket). Lecture: Walking to Debussy - A Lecture on French Impressionist Piano Pieces with Philippe Cassard. Multifunctional Hall, Xinghai Musical Hall, 8pm, May 13. RMB 50.