Cultural institution

On Wednesday night, audiences will enjoy online performances by the China NCPA orchestra and chorus.

A drama, based on the play A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, is showing from Dec 17 to Thursday. Directed by Ren Ming, a director of Beijing People's Art Theater, the NCPA production is performed by actors and actresses of the NCPA Drama Ensemble.

A new dance drama, commissioned by the NCPA and coproduced by Ningbo Performance and Arts Group, is also being staged until Thursday, as part of the NCPA anniversary celebrations. Directed by Xiao Xiangrong and written by scriptwriter Xu Rui, the dance drama tells the life story of composer Xian Xinghai (1905-45), who is known for his patriotic music works, such as Yellow River Cantata, which premiered in 1939 in Yan'an, Shaanxi province, a revolutionary base. The music piece has been performed for decades by Chinese musicians and is still an audience favorite.

This year, the venue staged over 570 performances, attracting more than 460,000 people. It also held 580 public events, including workshops and art education programs, as well as 33 exhibitions.

The NCPA was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. It has been the focus of the world's performing arts industry in China since it opened in December 2007, attracting top international artists and symphony orchestras.

"Last year, we started to present online programs, which have been viewed over 2.9 billion times so far," Gong says.