The Wiener Musikverein in Vienna. [File photo]

For many Chinese, the Wiener Musikverein in Vienna is a dream place to perform, however reports have emerged that Chinese art troupes have abused the reputation of the famous concert hall.

Li Kexin, the Chinese cultural counselor to the Austrian embassy, told Beijing Youth Daily, "Many Chinese troupes and artists are making use of low seasons to get on the Musikverein stage. They don't play in official musical seasons, and they don't sell tickets."

"The local people never hear about those performances and the local media never report them as news. Audiences get free tickets from the Chinese embassy or overseas Chinese chambers of commerce. Those inside the local Chinese community believe that the troupes are performing for their own amusement."

As such performances became more frequent, 133 art troupes have gone on tour to the Musikverein over the last eight months, most of which are not top performers. "Even Chinese chefs here don't want to take free tickets any more. The audiences and media in Vienna no longer care," Li said, "These frequent visits have done nothing good for cultural exchanges, this is an embarrassment. "

But what embarrasses performers most is that as one troupe is performing on stage, other troupes are sitting in the audience.

This mess has continued for more than a decade since the China National Orchestra held a concert at the venue in 1998, since when the Musikverein has become a major venue for Chinese art troupes. Many Chinese regard the Musikverein as a sacred art venue, but they don't know that any organizations can pay 20,000 - 30,000 Euros to rent the hall and get on stage.

As part of the rush, some Chinese officials sent troupes to the hall as a kind of political accomplishment and some companies have invested in tours to promote their brand. Some schools have even asked parents to pay for their children to perform there.

To proclaim their performances' success, some even produced fake certificates signed by the mayor.

The Beijing Symphony Orchestra recently presented a successful concert on September 8 at the Wiener Konzerthaus instead of the Musikverein. The orchestra's musical director and principal conductor Tan Lihua said, "I don't want my troupe to play at the Musikverein. Too many Chinese troupes have tried to cash in there. There is no artistic merit."

Counselor Li Kexin said that the Musikverein operations department has realized the problem and is in discussion with the Chinese embassy about establishing an administrative system to select and recognize Chinese troupes, in order to control the quality. However, no resolution has been made so far.

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