An estimated audience of three billion watched the concert held inside Beijing's Forbidden City on television, and some 30,000 viewers were at the concert in person, including Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing and other distinguished guests.

The mysterious Forbidden City, a place of cultural pride for the oriental world, was also known for its refusal of foreign visitors in the 19th century. It has been a dream for international artists, who have performed at the Eiffel Tower and the Egyptian Pyramids, to give a historical performance there.

In front of a major entrance at the emperors' palace, the largest temporary stage in China was erected, filled with state-of-the-art acoustic equipment, and contrasting to the 600-year-old red walls and colored glazing, shadowed under huge pillars inscribed with giant golden dragons.

Even from several kilometers away people could see the Forbidden City glittering under spot lights and lanterns, just like a translucent pearl.

"An incredible idea, and a superb integration," said Chen Yin, deputy president of Beijing CIDD Information Corporation, a viewer.

"E lucevan le Stelle" (brilliant stars) from Puccini's "Tosca" sung by Domingo was a highlight of the concert: the Forbidden City became a rallying point of celebrities from worldwide, including thousands of politicians, business tycoons, sports and entertainment stars.

Actually, all Three Tenors had staged individual concerts in China before. Prior to the performance, when interviewed by reporters, they said that it was China's marvelous reform and opening up and people's enthusiasm for high arts that made them decide to sing together for China's prosperity as well as a great Olympics in Beijing.

June 23 was the International Olympic Day. Beijing, which is bidding to host the 2008 Olympic Games, decided to sew sports and arts together.

"Nessum Dorma" (nobody sleeps tonight) seemed to stop time; and the love story of a Chinese girl elaborated in "Turandot" was expected to strike a sympathetic chord between the West and the East, some audience maintained.

Among the repertoire, many songs were Puccini masterpieces, which were familiar to Chinese audiences, in addition to other folk songs like "Amapola" and "Torna a Surriento", igniting the concert.

Nevertheless, it was not simply an opportunity for the Westerners to exhibit charm. More stages were set up in a nearby park and even at the prestigious Peking University, where Chinese artists performed Beijing Opera and other traditional programs.

When three female Chinese tenors ascended the stage and joined the Three Tenors to sing "La Traviata" in fluent Italian amid the music played by the orchestra from China's National Opera House, the carnival reached its peak.

"The concert not only adds a beautiful musical movement to the old city, but also symbolizes that China has become an important force promoting international culture," said Ying Ruocheng, a Chinese artist.

The performance cost millions of dollars, the largest investment for a single concert in the country, and it was the first time China has staged an international standard artistic event.

(Xinhua News Agency 06/23/2001)