Construction work on Beijing's National Grand Theater is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with its first show opening in 2006, officials announced on Monday.
December 13 marks the third anniversary since the US$325 million project broke ground.
"After completion next year, we will commission sophisticated music facilities in the theater's three major buildings," said an official from the Project Proprietors' Committee.
"The commissioning will last several months, as musical instruments such as the pipe organ require a clean, dustless environment," acknowledged the official.
The committee noted that many top performing companies at home and abroad have been consulted on its performing procedures.
Competition for the first show is especially fierce. The theater's art director said months earlier that it had received 21 proposals, some of which were from overseas, including from the British Royal Opera. But a final decision hasn't yet been made.
Situated near Tian'anmen Square and behind the magnificent Great Hall of the People, the theater is an enormous glass and titanium tear-drop-like bubble surrounded by water.
It occupies an area of some 149,520 square meters (1.6 million sq feet) and comprises three gigantic halls: a 2,416-seat opera house, a 2,017-seat concert hall and a 1,040-seat theater.
Three questions have dogged its construction: who is to manage it after completion, should it be run as a commercial organization or be public service-oriented, and what should be done about its bulky financial deficit?
The latter issue has worsened amid much media speculation; days ago Wang Zhengming, Party secretary to the Project Proprietors' Committee, testified that the deficit is estimated to be about 200 million yuan (US$ 24 million).
But he said the theater's budget reflects wider economic changes since 1998, as prices for construction materials such as steel, cement and sand have all risen sharply. Transport costs have also climbed due to regulations recently adopted by the municipal government.
Exchange rates have also played a part, especially that between the euro and US dollar. "Many of the musical instruments and facilities are bought from European countries. But they were budgeted in US dollars. As the euro has risen against the US dollar, it has added to our deficit," explained Wang.
As the time for its completion and debut approaches, the Grand Theater faces new challenges.
The first comes from unforeseen problems with its design. The unique egg-shape will produce a huge amount of light pollution for surrounding areas by refracting and reflecting sunlight, something that has only recently been realized.
The second headache is around pricing. The initial aim was to increase access for ordinary people to the performing arts, but if prices need to be increased to cover higher costs the original intention is lost.
"In Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou the expense of enjoying live artistic performances is already high enough. Frankly, I couldn't afford it if I had to pay for all the concerts I have attended," says Wu Zuqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and director of the Art Committee of the Grand Theater.
As the country's most prestigious performance venue, and one built and run according to the highest international standards, operating costs will be enormous. One conventional practice in Chinese cultural circles will also make the problem even worse: offering gift tickets for free.
(China.org.cn by Wind Gu, December 15, 2004)
