NCPA unveils Olympic Performance Season

National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) spokespersons brief the media June 4 2008 on the upcoming Olympic Performance Season to be presented by the NCPA. China.org.cn presents a live webcast of the press conference. Full Coverage  In Pictures  Back to Live Cast

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  • NCPA unveils Olympic Performance Season

活动描述

  • National Center for the Performing Arts (NPCA) spokespersons will brief the media June 4 2008 on the upcoming Olympic Performance Season to be presented by the NPCA. China.org.cn presents a live webcast of the press conference.

文字内容:

  • Li Zhanjun:

    Dear Media friends, Good afternoon. We welcome you to take part in this afternoon's media press conference. This afternoon's press conference concerns the Olympic Performance Season of NCPA Presenting the Art of Beijing. We all know that from April to September it is the show season. We are honored to introduce the leaders of NCPA. First, Mr. Deng Yijiang, Vice President of NCPA; Ms. Zhao Ruheng, Artistic Director of Dance of NCPA; Mr. Li Zhixiang, Director of the Department of Program of NCPA; Mr. Wang Wei, Director of the Department of Marketing and Sales of NCPA; Ms. Pan Lan, Director of the Department of Arts Education and Outreach of NCPA. This afternoon's press conference will last for one hour they will talk about the show season's preparation work and answer your questions.

    2008-06-04 15:00:08

  • Deng Yijiang:

    The landmark of the Olympic City, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), impresses everyone with its massive scale.

    Located at the west side of Tian'an men Square and nested on a 40,000 square meter artificial lake, the NCPA contains four distinctive and stand-alone auditoria -- an opera house, a concert hall, a theatre and an experimental theatre which is under construction.

    Since the curtains parted on its debut, the unique architecture and art performance have attracted the world's attention, leaving an indelible impact on culture both within and outside of China.

    2008-06-04 15:03:24

  • Deng Yijiang:

    The Olympic Games, a world celebration, is fast approaching. Billions of people will focus on Beijing in August and witness the global classic sport festival. Following the concept of "People's Olympics", the NCPA, as the state level performance art center, planned the Olympic Performance Season to highlight rich culture connotation of modern Olympics. The NCPA will showcase the national culture and serve as a platform for international cultural communication thus deepening friendship and understanding through cultural and art exchange.

    2008-06-04 15:05:53

  • Li Zhixiang:

    The current Performance season will last for five months - from April 15, 2008 to September 21, 2008 with 135 plays and 279 art performances in 160 days, presenting a cultural festival that encompasses 480,000 people. 48% are international shows, including

    • Ballets by Ballet de L'Opera National de Paris and the Royal Ballet
    Aida by Cairo Opera House,
    • Concert by Anne-Sophie Mutter and Trondheim Soloists
    • The King's Singers Concert and
    • Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, etc

    2008-06-04 15:08:48

  • Li Zhixiang:

    The remaining 52% of the shows are domestic, including

    • The 1st Spring Symphony in China
    Dynasty 1900 by National Theatre Company of China
    Shi Wu Guan (Fifteen Strings of Coins) by Shanghai Kunju Opera and
    Butterfly Lovers by Hangzhou Yueju Opera Troupe,etc

    More than 200 art educational events will be organized during the season to provide opportunities for 100,000 people to communicate with artists and get to know art.

    2008-06-04 15:10:43

  • Li Zhixiang:

    Various shows will be around the Olympic Games to cheer for China and the Olympics, and express our common aspiration - "One World One Dream".


    Two specially designed concerts will be on stage during the Games. They are World Tenors Concert by five world famous tenors on August 6, 2008 and "Piano Night in China" themed around Beijing Olympic Games by 10 world famous pianists, including Lang Lang, on August 19.

    2008-06-04 15:12:12

  • Li Zhixiang:

    The season will also be the time for traditional Chinese art. Peking Opera, Kun Opera and local operas and plays will be on the stage, such as Quelling The White Bone Demon (San Da Bai Gu Jing) and Long Tan Bao Luo of Peking Opera, Gongsun Zidu and Shi Wu Guan (Fifteen Strings of Coins) of Kun Opera, Jin Zi of Chuan Opera, Mei Ren Jiao of Huangmei Opera and Butterfly Lovers of Yue Opera.

    These shows will demonstrate the flourishing art culture in China and facilitate the integration and exchange between the traditional Chinese art and world classic art. While promoting national culture, the shows will also help create harmonious and enthusiastic atmosphere.

    2008-06-04 15:14:17

  • Li Zhixiang:

    "Made in China" will be one of the highlights. Turandot and Madame Butterfly created by Giacomo Puccini will be adapted as the NCPA versions for the current season. The two adaptations with oriental themes are the tribute paid to the artist and art on the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Puccini.

    "The 1st Spring Symphony in China" has attracted attention from professionals and the market. 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.

    2008-06-04 15:16:49

  • Li Zhixiang:

    Ever since the founding of the NCPA, all the performances have been supervised by the artistic director and art committee to ensure the elite level of the show.

    "Classic Opera Gallery" series will present five operas from the DPRK, Egypt, Italy and China. They are The Flower Girl by the Blood Sea Opera Troupe, Madama Butterfly by the NCPA, Aida by Cairo Opera House, Tea by Tan Dun and Turandot of the NCPA version (second round).

    2008-06-04 15:19:42

  • Zhao Ruheng:

    "Classic Ballet Tour" will present 11 ballet plays in 160 days, including:

    Paquita by 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 Royal Danish Ballet;

    Swan Lake by The Royal Swedish Ballet, and

    The Red Detachment of Women by the National Ballet of China, etc

    Major forms of ballet and world leading ballet troupes will be presented, leading audience to the palace of ballet fantasy.

    2008-06-04 15:21:48

  • Li Zhixiang:

    All the artists and troupes invited in this season represent the worlds very best.

    Internationally, there will be:

    • Conductors Chung Myung-whun, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yannick
    • Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter
    • Tenors José Carreras

    World famous troupes will also perform, such as:

    • Rotterdams Philharmonic Orchestra
    • Alban Berg Quartett
    • Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
    • Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and
    • National Theatre of Greece, etc.

    2008-06-04 15:24:40

  • Li Zhixiang:

    Domestically, more than 30 conductors have been invited, including:

    • Zhen Xiaoying
    • Tang Muhai
    • Chen Zuohuang, etc.

    Soloists, including:

    • Fu Cong
    • Liu Shikun
    • Lang Lang
    • Li Yundi
    • Li Biao
    • Lu Siqing
    • Li Chuanyun and
    • Ning Feng, etc.

    Traditional opera performers, such as:

    • Li Baochun
    • Mao Weitao
    • Han Zaifen
    • Shen Tiemei and
    • Lin Weilin, etc

    Play performers, including:

    • Chen Jianbin
    • Guo Da and
    • Chen Shu ,etc

    2008-06-04 15:26:23

  • Wang Wei:

    During "The Spring of Symphony in China" events, 3,000 observation tickets are available daily. One can have access to themed events with a ticket priced as low as 40 RMB. The highest price for show tickets is 280 RMB. The high cost of performances will not be shifted to the audiences. For example, the highest price for the ballet by the Royal Ballet is 880 RMB. The policy aims to provide affordable tickets to more people as the theatre is for the people.

    2008-06-04 15:29:21

  • Pan Lan:

    While presenting performances, the show season also includes art education and outreach events. More than 200 events will be offered for 100,000 participants to enjoy the charm of art.

    Invited Chinese scholars and artists include Huang Xiaohe, Chen Zhi, He Zhenjing, Yu Ping, Liu Zengfu, Wang Xiaoying, You Benchang and Sun Yumin, etc.

    Scholars from the Juilliard School including President Joseph W. Polisi, Yoheved Kaplinsky (Chairperson of the Piano Department), Joel Smirnoff (chairperson of the Violin Department), Elaine Douvas (Woodwind Department Chair), will present four lectures. Other international guests include Edward Burman, Peter Allsop, Guqin player John Thompson (Tang Shizhang) and the Newstead Trio. Their fresh ideas and passion will inject vigor into the events, making the National Centre for the Performing Arts a lively and open lecture hall.

    2008-06-04 15:32:18

  • Pan Lan:

    The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is not only a sports celebration but also a festival for China to have an all around participation with the whole world. The show season is a stage showcasing Chinese culture and art masterpieces, as well as a platform for world cultural exchange. Friends across the world will have a chance to enjoy the profound Chinese culture, and get to know China, both traditional and innovative, valuing national characteristics and advocating diversity of world culture.

    2008-06-04 15:34:20

  • China National Radio:

    I have two questions. Just now Mr. Li said there will be a concert of the Masters of Voices. So can you give us a brief introduction of those performances? Also Ms. Pan said there will be public rehearsals and other performances for the public, for example, the Olympic songs, so how can the spectators and participants get a ticket for that?

    2008-06-04 15:38:45

  • Li Zhixiang:

    On August 4-5, there will be the Masters of Voices concert and in our preparation we have communicated with the Masters. I cannot give you all the information on this concert. But we will hold another press conference on this concert. There will be three masters from overseas and two from China. And Jose Carreras will take part in this concert. As for the programming, we are still considering it fully. There will be a soloist and also other performances. We have also invited the Chinese composers to make a specific song.

    2008-06-04 15:40:59

  • Pan Lan:

    As for the public lectures and performances, people can log on our website to get a list and you will find the date. The tickets are available one week in advance. On Monday, you can come to buy the ticket at the front desk. And we have our Artist Friends Club. Only the club members can book the tickets on the internet and through their club membership card they can get a ticket in a few minutes. The club members will get free tickets.

    2008-06-04 15:42:16

  • Wenhui News:

    Certainly there will be a lot of officials and royal family members coming for the Olympic Games. Have you prepared special performances for this group of visitors?

    2008-06-04 15:44:16

  • Deng Yijiang:

    All the programs for the Olympic performance season have been finalized. BOCOG will make arrangements for foreign officials and royal family members concerning their visit to the NCPA. We have made preparations to welcome those officials and royal family members. All are ready now.

    2008-06-04 15:45:54

  • Star Daily:

    My question is for Mr. Deng. I heard that Andrea Bocelli also performed in the NCPA. Will he still participate? Also you said there are some tickets that are cheaper – perhaps 50 yuan – and I want to know if those are still available.

    2008-06-04 15:47:35

  • Deng Yijiang:

    The performance you asked about first is not available in this season.

    2008-06-04 15:48:19

  • Wang Wei:

    Concerning your second question, it is decided that on June 15, it will be the Sound of Education event. The same policy will continue on June 16 and it may not be overpriced although there will be adjustment.

    2008-06-04 15:50:57

  • China News Service:

    The Cheers for China concert on September 21 are filled with young artists, who are they and how are they selected?

    2008-06-04 15:52:40

  • Li Zhixiang:

    We will hold a press conference on this specific concert. We have organized some famous piano masters and also other experts toward this concert. The China Conservatory of Music and Shanghai Conservatory of Music recommended some artists. The final list will be released soon.

    2008-06-04 15:54:32

  • Beijing Morning Post:

    A follow-up question about the Masters of Voices Concert: The standard of selecting those Masters of Voices -- are they masters of popular music? I think it's often used in that sense. What about the classical music?

    2008-06-04 15:56:52

  • Li Zhixiang:

    Not only can the term be used in popular music but also in opera and other concerts. People cannot see eye-to-eye to each other but all those Masters of Voices are also popular in the public and also, they have a lot of performances and a good variety of programs, so we just use this way to call them Masters of Voices.

    2008-06-04 15:58:33

  • US Radio:

    I wondered if you have chosen any avant-garde artists to perform and if any, how you would have chosen them and if not, why not? And also, what is the image you would like other people to take away from Chinese culture -- modern culture, contemporary cutting-edge culture?

    2008-06-04 16:00:53

  • Zhao Ruheng:

    Thank you. This is a very good question. In fact, at the opening of NCPA we started our show season with the platform of NCPA to show cutting-edge art. Also modern art is our target, but I think that we should show a wide range of performances to show cultural diversity. It is not only modern or traditional ballet, dance, or singing -- but we would like to invite all qualities from across the world. We need to choose and select those and to make a deal with them, in order to clench all the dates. I think that probably within this show season we won't show too many types of performances but we will put on in the future more shows of diversity.

    2008-06-04 16:03:59

  • Macau Daily:

    In February, NCPA invited the Macau Orchestra to its opening season. This time will you also invite the Macau Orchestra?

    2008-06-04 16:05:10

  • Li Zhixiang:

    This show season is from April to September. We haven't yet arranged for the orchestra to come to perform, mostly because of their schedule. It may be difficult for them to come here several times within one year.

    2008-06-04 16:07:47

  • Li Zhanjun:

    Thank you. That is the end of our press conference. Thank you all.

    2008-06-04 16:08:20

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