The National Theater and National Concert Hall: Before the Shows Begin

On September 5, fronting the rains brought on by typhoon Gerald, 1,500 students from the Southwest Vocational School gathered in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. They lined up to enter the soon-to-be opened National Theatre.

The stage was empty of dancers and orchestras. There were no lights, for the main actors were not on stage but off.

These 1,500 students were present for a test to see whether the quality of sound as well as volume could be heard equally by all. One week prior to this, 2,200 students from the same school participated in a similar test just next door in the National Concert Hall.

The official name of the National Theatre and Concert Hall is the National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center. Planning for the halls took place back in 1975. After what seems to have been an eternal 12 years, the halls will open in October of this year commemorating the 100th birthday of the late Chiang Kai-shek.

These two structures, costing a colossal NT$7.4 billion, are situated in the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall complex. They are fashioned after the traditional palace style, with red columns and yellow tiled roofs complemented by a white wall with blue tiles at the top.

In addition to the outer beauty, their interior is likewise truly remarkable.

As for the National Theatre, it is divided into two parts; the main theatre and the experimental theatre. Naturally, the most important part of the theatre is the stage. The main, side, and back stage as well as the orchestra section are all capable of being quickly moved up or down or even turned around. This allows for large-scale productions of every kind.

Although the stage of the concert hall is not as elaborate as that of the theatre, nevertheless it does have its own special characteristics. According to a specialist in the preparatory office at the National Theatre and Concert Hall: "Before designing the buildings, a large number of tests had to be done and models made in order to make it suitable for the timbre of different instruments."

The preparatory office at the National Theatre and Concert Hall is satisfied with the results of the sound system installed by Philips Co.

Another remarkable thing in the Concert Hall is the organ. Costing NT$40 million and built by the Flentrop Co. of Holland, it took two years to build. It's composed of 4,172 pipes, 56 keys, and 30 foot peddles. The largest pipe weighs as much as 150 kg. and was installed by the use of a crane.

Edward D. Lakin of Philips Co., proudly noted, "This is the best building I have ever worked in. In the future, on account of these two halls, Taipei will be put on the world map."

Such theatres are considered throughout the world to be one of the most difficult and complicated to construct. Take for example the Lincoln Center in the United States. Its sound system was torn down and rebuilt six times before it was improved. Likewise, the Sydney Opera House in Australia closed for renovations which took ten years to complete.

As with all things there is bound to be some criticism. Some hold the view that the two halls are Western theatres packed within a Chinese palace. Others have said that the entrance to the passage way for stage props is too narrow, thus making it impossible for delivery trucks to enter. Still others are critical and feel that there should be more practice rooms other than the two mirrored ballet rooms.

However, the engineering unit claims that all of the above were taken into consideration in the process of the work. In the opening season many test performances have been arranged, which amounts to inviting artists to come and "grade" the structures in view of their experience.

From speaking with Hou Ch'i-p'ing of the preparatory office at the National Theatre and Concert Hall, who was personally involved in stage design, we can see that within the past twenty years the government has made a great effort to invest in the construction of cultural centers.

The performances in the two halls scheduled for the months of October through December have created a topic of discussion in the world of art.

Take foreign art organizations for example. Starting three years ago, the preparatory office contacted almost twenty large opera groups and fifty orchestras. However, in the end only the New York City Opera and the Cleveland Orchestra will be able to perform in Taipei.

In the opening season, it was originally planned that programs be equally divided among domestic and foreign art groups. However since the schedules of most of the well-known foreign art groups were completely booked, only two are able to make it. The other reason is that domestically, it is seen as an honor to participate in the opening season. Therefore, the ratio of domestic and foreign performances stands at present at 7:3.

On October 6, both halls have arranged for the Chinese opera, Kou Chien Fu Kuo and the Taipei Municipal Chinese Classical Orchestra to perform at the opening ceremony.

On account of traditional Chinese ceremonies being made up of songs and music, a chorus has been arranged led by the soprano Li Tsung-ch'iu, who has just returned from Italy.

Although a few in the music world consider Chinese classical music to be rather light in sound and not so dazzling, and thus not appropriate for the opening performance, this arrangement should be encouraging to traditional Chinese musicians.

The biggest box hit during the three-month opening season is as the performance of Journey to the West by the Performance Workshop.

According to Lai Sheng-ch'uan, it's seen as "an entire overview and reflection of Western influence on modern China."

The government has supplied these two halls. However, how to best utilize them to encourage and support the arts domestically and spark international cultural exchange is the real dream of everyone.

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Program for the National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center Opening Season

[Picture Caption]

Waiting for the giant crystal chandelier to be installed, the two halls will then yield unusually brilliant results. (photo by Chiu Sheng-wang)

The opening season (October to December, 1987) performances for the most part have been set. Which are you eagerly awaiting to see?

The National Theatre (left) in its majestic appearance. The Concert Hall (right) in all its beauty. Each hall has its own character.

From the beautiful winged corners and the intricate beam bracket, we can see what great care was taken in construction.

The United Experimental Orchestra plays an important role in the opening season. The members of the group gearing up.

Employees of Sinotech Engineering Consultants and the Ho Mu Construction Firm, two companies which worked on the halls, some experts from Germany and Holland and some reporters posed in front of the giant organ for a group photo. (photo by Chiu Sheng-wang)

The facility is first rate. The main stage of the magnificent National Theatre.

The National Theatre （left） in its majestic appearance. The Concert Hall （right） in all its beauty. Each hall has its own character.

From the beautiful winged corners and the intricate beam bracket, we can see what great care was taken in construction.

The United Experimental Orchestra plays an important role in the opening season. The members of the group gearing up.

Employees of Sinotech Engineering Consultants and the Ho Mu Construction Firm, two companies which worked on the halls, some experts from Germany and Holland and some reporters posed in front of the giant organ for a group photo. （photo by Chiu Sheng-wang）

The facility is first rate. The main stage of the magnificent National Theatre.