A chance to conduct yourself

They could also attend screenings of recorded stage productions, browse products at the book market and cultural creative merchandise market, and listen to experts sharing their thoughts in panel talks. A session highlighted the theater works written by Nobel Prize in literature laureate Mo Yan, who also held a book signing on the day.

For those who could not attend the festival in person, the NCPA also launched an online program in the evening, recapping the festival's highlights and bringing on an online chorus and orchestra concert.

"For the NCPA, 2024 marked a milestone as it became an organization of three sites, which are unique in their positioning and operations," says Zhu Jing, vice-president of the NCPA.

"Upholding the goal of serving the people, cultural confidence, openness and inclusivity, integrity and innovation, we have been introducing a broader variety of cultural and artistic offerings, meeting the demands of audiences and the market."

Over the past 17 years, the NCPA has hosted around 14,000 performances, produced 112 original productions, as well as organized around 650 exhibitions and 15,000 art popularization activities.

In the month or so following the festival, the China NCPA Orchestra, China NCPA Chorus and NCPA resident singers are hosting multiple concerts. The NCPA Chorus celebrated the 15th anniversary of its founding on Dec 8.

Jiao Miao, the chorus' resident conductor, says that the chorus has staged 73 opera productions with more than 1,600 performances, giving young artists a platform of endless potential to consistently improve themselves and exercise their creativity.

"When December approaches each year, all staff members of the NCPA enter a state of excitement, frenzy and anticipation, because we have all kinds of events to celebrate the anniversary and the upcoming New Year," Jiao says.

"It is amid such a joyous and cheerful atmosphere that we are bringing a lineup of events, with the hope that audience members from all walks of life can come to the NCPA and experience the brilliance of stage art."