Just having seen the Three Tenors, lucky Beijingers now have a weeklong experience of Tchaikovsky's ballet. To ballet fans' delightful surprise, in contrast with the U.S.-dollar tickets to go to see the tenors, they are able to choose to watch ballet classics according to their tastes and wallets.

The organizer, Cultural Entertainment Company under the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA), designed different performances for different audiences.

From last weekend, Beijing ballet goers have the choice of ordinary, education and business ticket prices to appreciate three classics: Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, all staged by Russian Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, whose first China debut was in 1957.

Ordinary ticket holders can enjoy all three performances during the weekend. Low-price education option is particularly designed for students to have the opportunity to learn more about one of the classic art forms with a Chinese ballet performer present introducing before the performance.

Meanwhile, business tickets are sold to attract financing for the performance, according to CPAA sources.

Insiders here say that the different promotions are sure to help nurture a healthy ballet market in China and more ballet fans will be able to enjoy the art form at an affordable price.

The box office shows that tickets for students are now a hot seller with 70 percent of the tickets going to children.

(People’s Daily 06/26/2001)