Opening the doors to art

The National Center for the Performing Arts' recent open house serves as a microcosm of how the venue has popularized high-end performances over the past decade. Chen Nan reports.

Retiree Lu Zekang visited Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts in December 2007, shortly after the venue was built.

The native of Hubei's provincial capital, Wuhan, was impressed by the venue's size.

The 210,000-square-meter building designed by French architect Paul Andreu is twice as big as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Lu watched the inaugural performances of the China National Symphony Orchestra and the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, featuring Chinese pianist Li Yundi, during his first visit.

"I had the rare opportunity to watch classical music performances," he recalls.

"It was unforgettable to enjoy a great show at a grand venue."

The 65-year-old has returned almost every year since－most recently, to attend the annual NCPA Open Day on Dec 22.

Over 70 programs were hosted in the NCPA's various venues.

Costumed performers wandered around the building, posing for photos with visitors.

The NCPA Chorus sang songs from the center's opera production, The Long March, which premiered in July 2016 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Red Army's epic military retreat across the country over two years, starting in 1934, to evade Kuomintang forces.

The Beijing Symphony Orchestra performed under the baton of Tan Lihua. Programs included The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II and Spring Festival Suite by Li Huanzhi.

Kunqu and Peking Opera performers took to the public space outside the drama theater to showcase such classic works as Peony Pavilion by celebrated Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) playwright Tang Xianzu.

A brass band played Triumphal March to announce the time every hour.

The open day was part of the NCPA's 10th anniversary and attracted over 7,000 visitors of all ages. The venue has staged the event every year since 2009.

"It's a festival for audiences to enjoy various art forms and get close to artists at the NCPA," the venue's vice-president Wang Zhengming says.

"We're happy that it has become a trend for audiences to attend the NCPA's performances."