Inside the concert hall (Guangzhou Daily)
After four years of construction, unexpected delays, and a fire which nearly ruined the building in May 2009, the Guangzhou Opera House designed by British architect Zaha Hadid is now finally completed. Yesterday (March 21st) diplomats in Guangzhou were invited to an exclusive tour of the building before the first shows begin.
Upon enter the 1,800-seat concert hall, W. Nievergelt, the Swiss Consul General in Guangzhou has difficulty hiding his admiration, "What an amazing place!" he says.
Ahead of its official opening in May, two shows will be held free-of-charge in April. This will give the Opera House staff the opportunity to test the new venue. The Guangzhou Drama Institution shall present "For The Princess Turandot" ( ) on April 9th, and the ballet "Come Back Late In the Snow" ( ) shall be staged on April 13th and 14th.
But for most music lovers in Guangzhou, they will have to wait until "Turandot" opens on May 6th to step inside, what most people agree is, the most difficult structure to build in the world. Approximately 200 shows shall be staged each year in the Opera House amongst which France's Ballet Preljocaj, "Raise The Red Lantern" from China's Central Ballet Troupe and Michael Bolton from the U.S.A..
Upon enter the 1,800-seat concert hall, W. Nievergelt, the Swiss Consul General in Guangzhou has difficulty hiding his admiration, "What an amazing place!" he says.
Ahead of its official opening in May, two shows will be held free-of-charge in April. This will give the Opera House staff the opportunity to test the new venue. The Guangzhou Drama Institution shall present "For The Princess Turandot" ( ) on April 9th, and the ballet "Come Back Late In the Snow" ( ) shall be staged on April 13th and 14th.
But for most music lovers in Guangzhou, they will have to wait until "Turandot" opens on May 6th to step inside, what most people agree is, the most difficult structure to build in the world. Approximately 200 shows shall be staged each year in the Opera House amongst which France's Ballet Preljocaj, "Raise The Red Lantern" from China's Central Ballet Troupe and Michael Bolton from the U.S.A..
