A scene from Swan Lake, performed by the Central Ballet Troupe (now National Ballet of China) (XU XIANGJUN)

The China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) recently signed a contract with the Ballet Troupe of the Central Opera and Ballet Theater, to become its exclusive agent for all 1997 Beijing performances.

The CPAA is an old and vigorous state-level performance company. Over the past four decades, it has successfully organized performances by more than 1,000 foreign artistic groups in China. The whole '96 China International Symphony Music Year program was directed and sponsored by the agency. Their cooperation with the Ballet Troupe, one of the premier state-level troupes, was another great cultural activity this year, and it indicated a significant development in China's agency system.

The CPAA has accumulated rich experience through producing various performances staged by domestic and overseas artistic groups over the years. In addition to introducing outstanding artistic troupes from overseas, they also care about the progress of Chinese troupes. General-Manager Zhang Yu said, "The performance agency system is a popular operational practice in the international performance market. It is inevitable that such a method be adopted for domestic arts entering the performance market, it is also a necessary way for linking domestic with international performance market."

The CPAA acted as the troupe's agent for its marvellous performances of Sleeping Beauty in 1995 and Swan Lake in 1996. The quality of these performances reflected the advantages of the agency system. The further reform of artistic groups carried out by the Ministry of Culture last year further steered the groups into the market, and finally established the agency system after two years of preparations.

"Our services are oriented to the domestic market with the farsighted aim of touring and holding regular commercial performances on European and American stages," said Zhang Yu.

Zhao Ruheng, head of the troupe, said, "We will build our image by presenting excellent performances to the audience and keeping a foothold in the market." It's reported this year's performances will include The Red Detachment of Women, Don Quixote, Giselle and a selection of exquisite masterpieces in addition to Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.