World class opera house opens at Taman Mini<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto inaugurated yesterday a
\nworld-class opera house, Teater Tanah Airku, at Taman Mini
\nIndonesia Indah in East Jakarta, as part of the park's 23rd
\nanniversary celebrations.<\/p>\n
Tjahjono Soerjodibroto, the chief commissioner of theater
\ndeveloper PT Yasawirya Indah Megamedia, noted that the theater
\nwas no less sophisticated than other world-class theaters like
\nL'Opera in Paris, the Royal Opera House in London and Sydney
\nOpera House in Australia.<\/p>\n
Tjahjono, also president of the publicly listed satellite
\noperator PT Indosat, acknowledged that some people might consider
\nthe construction of the mega arts center a waste of money given
\nthe country's economic hardship.<\/p>\n
However, \"We want to see it from a positive point of view
\nbecause under such a difficult situation we need an atmosphere
\nthat boosts creativity,\" said Tjahjono.<\/p>\n
With the existence of the sophisticated theater, which will be
\nable to accommodate an audience of 1,070, productions such as
\nPhantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, and Les Miserables will now be
\npossible in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The building is equipped with a laser video projector, 60
\naerial wires, and a hydraulically operated stage which is able to
\nreplace a 10-ton set within 10 seconds.<\/p>\n
The cost of its construction was not disclosed but some
\nspeculated that it exceeded Rp 30 billion (US$4 million).<\/p>\n
The President and some 500 guests, including the President's
\ngrandchildren, enjoyed yesterday a shortened version of Hanoman
\n-- the story about the struggle of a giant white ape, Hanoman, to
\nfree Princess Sinta from the evil Rahwana in the Ramayana epic.<\/p>\n
\"We hope this will help familiarize Indonesian children with
\nstories other than Batman or Doraemon (a Javanese cartoon),\"
\nTjahjono noted.<\/p>\n
The 36-minute show was directed by Nano Riantiarno, the
\nfounder of Teater Koma. Its music was composed by Djaduk Ferianto
\nand arranged by Addie MS.<\/p>\n
PT Yasawirya Indah Megamedia is owned by PT Indosat Mega
\nMedia, PT Yasawirya Tama Cipta and Taman Mini.<\/p>\n
The company expects the 72-minute opera will be ready for the
\npublic in June.<\/p>\n
Entrance ticket are expected to be about Rp 15,000. The park
\nhopes the opera will attract 20 percent of Taman Mini's annual
\n7.5 million visitors. (prb)<\/p>",
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