Sad note from Vienna music hall

As many as 133 music groups from China performed at Vienna's Golden Concert Hall from January to August last year regardless of whether or not people bought tickets for their performance. The groups failed to demonstrate the charm of Chinese culture, says an article in Xi'an Evening News. Excerpts:

The Chinese people have for long considered the Golden Concert Hall in Vienna as "the palace of art". In fact, it's a dream for even some of the leading Chinese artists to perform in Vienna's Golden Concert Hall. And if their performances are good and welcomed by the audience, they would showcase Chinese culture and enhance cultural exchange between China and the Western world. But in most cases, that does not seem to be the case.

Media reports say the Vienna music hall is merely a place for musicians and music enthusiasts to meet and communicate, and showcase their skills. More importantly, anyone willing to pay 20,000 to 30,000 euros ($27,900 to $41,840) as rent for the hall could rehearse and perform there. Besides, Chinese residents of Vienna have got so tired of such performances that they refuse to attend a Chinese artist's show even if they are offered tickets for free.

In a way, the Golden Concert Hall has become a karaoke room for Chinese artists. And 20,000 euros is not a large amount if it can offer a shortcut to success-once artists perform in Vienna concert hall, their agencies launch a publicity blitz not only to popularize them but also to raise their rates.