A cultural performance themed "Fantasia of Dreams" marked the beginning of the 2019 FIBA World Basketball Cup on Friday, in the Beijing National Aquatics Center known as the "Water Cube". The performance opened with the sonata "In Pursuit of a Better Self" adapted from a famous Chinese ancient music "Southern Tunes: The General's Order." Lang Lang, the world-renowned pianist, played passionately accompanied by Peking opera.