Opening the doors to art

The center has staged over 8,700 shows and sold about 9.3 million tickets over the past decade.

It has also hosted over 10,000 educational programs for nearly 20 million people to popularize such genres as classical music and opera.

And over 800 troupes from home and abroad have performed at the venue.

It hosts festival seasons every spring, summer and fall, featuring Chinese symphony orchestras, choirs, pianists and traditional Chinese operas.

Beijinger Xia Jingwei attended about 50 NCPA shows this year.

The 30-year-old doctor enjoys performances by Western musicians and dancers, and original NCPA operas.

One of her favorites is Lan Huahua, an original NCPA opera inspired by a popular folk song from Northwest China that debuted on Oct 1, China's National Day. It's the brainchild of veteran theater director Chen Xinyi, composer Zhang Qianyi and scriptwriter Zhao Daming.

"It's great to watch a quality show at the theater," Xia says.

"It's so different from a pop concert. I not only enjoy the music and stage designs but also learn about history and culture."

The NCPA has produced 25 original operas since its first, Xi Shi, debuted in 2009, Wang says.

It organizes an annual festival featuring a dozen homemade and imported operas to popularize the genre. It also hosts forums that bring together producers and managers from around the world.

Celebrity TV host Bai Yansong shared his thoughts on opera's charm with about 100 guests at the NCPA on Dec 22. He says it took years for Chinese audiences to appreciate opera, since the Western art form is often considered "hard to understand".

"Opera and classical music are pure arts to enjoy. The music, the costumes and the settings－everything comes together onstage," Bai says.

"The NCPA has worked with many world-class opera houses and artists to introduce high-level productions. It also develops original works. It plays a vital role in promoting this art form in China."

Chen, the theater director, explains that the NCPA has gone beyond bringing art to ordinary people to also train young Chinese performers.

It founded its choir in 2009, its orchestra in 2010 and its opera team in 2011. The NCPA established its own drama troupe last year.

The orchestra has toured North America twice. And the drama troupe has produced five Shakespeare plays, Chen says.

"I still recall being impressed by the iconic architecture when I first visited in 2007," Chen says.

"But what's overwhelming is when you look at the young artists' growth and achievements."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn