Beijing's landmark National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will offer an array of fine performances during its "Olympic Performance Season," it was announced at a press conference here on Wednesday.
Spanning five months, from April 15 to September 21, 2008, the center will offer 135 plays and 279 art performances, presenting a cultural festival that is expected to attract 480,000 people. About 48 percent of the programs are from international troupes, while the rest are Chinese.
The theater will feature ballets by Ballet de L'Opera National de Paris and the Royal Ballet; the opera "Aida" by Cairo Opera House; a concert by Anne-Sophie Mutter and Trondheim Soloists; and performances by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
Other ballets include "Paquita" by the Ballet de L'Opera National de Paris, one of the six masterpieces in its more than 300-year history; Kenneth Macmillan's "Manon" by the Royal Ballet; "Sleeping Beauty," demonstrating the unique splendor and dignity of the royal family; "La Sylphide" and "Napoli" created by August Bourneville 160 years ago for the Royal Danish Ballet; "Swan Lake" by the Royal Swedish Ballet.
Chinese troupes will perform the 1st Spring Symphony in China; "Dynasty 1900" by the National Theatre Company of China; Kun Opera "Shi Wu Guan" (Fifteen Strings of Coins); Yue Opera "Butterfly Lovers."
More than 200 educational art events will be organized during the season to provide opportunities for 100,000 people to communicate with artists.
Various shows will be arranged around the Olympic Games. They include the World Tenors Concert by five world famous tenors on August 6, 2008, and the "Piano Night in China," featuring 10 world famous pianists, including Lang Lang, on August 19. The Olympic Games will be held from August 8 to 24, 2008.
The season will also highlight traditional Chinese arts, such as Peking Opera and various local operas. On stage there will be the Peking Opera "Quelling The White Bone Demon" (San Da Bai Gu Jing); Kun Opera "Gongsun Zidu"; Chuan Opera "Jin Zi"; Huangmei Opera "Mei Ren Jiao" and others.
The operas "Turandot" and "Madame Butterfly" created by Giacomo Puccini will be adapted by the NCPA for the current season. The performances are designed to pay tribute to the artist on the 150th anniversary of his birth.
"The 1st Spring Symphony in China" has attracted attention from professionals and the public. Of the 42 orchestras nationwide, 29 will perform in the National Centre for the Performing Arts. There will be a Chinese masterpiece in each concert. From April 28 to June 15, there will be various concerts, open rehearsals, lectures and chamber music performances.
