Valery Gergiev at a press conference held at the National Grand Theater on December 24,2007. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM/ Liu Bing]

Ten years ago, Valery Gergiev promised to perform in the National Grand Theater. Today his promise comes true, bringing prestige to the newly opened performing arts center.

It is the Mariinsky Theater's first time to leave St. Petersburg at Christmas Eve, and the first time its ballet and opera will perform at the same time in one theatre. Valery Gergiev and his fellows at the Mariinsky Theater are the first international art troupe to perform in the theater's first international performance season.

In a nod to strengthening Sino-Russian relations, and to celebrate the December 22 opening of the theater, the Mariinsky Theater, led by Gergiev, arrived in Beijing with all the force of an aircraft carrier. Over 500 actors, the largest scale art troupe the National Grand Theater has ever received, will represent their best works, including Prince Igor, Swan Lake, Jewels, and The Corsairs for 11 days straight.

"I like [the theater]. It's really something to be proud of, though some people don't like the architecture. You can't force everyone to agree, so you can just enjoy it now. I just hope the acoustics will be okay! We are very excited to be here."

Though Gergiev has not yet started rehearsal and is unsure about the sound quality in the Grand Theater, he is confident the facility will meet the demands of the performance.

"Let's hope it will be the best. The stage is big, and includes acoustic effects and techniques I don't know, but it should be working."

As the artistic director and chief conductor of the Mariinsky Theater, under Gergiev's leadership, the Mariinsky has become one of the most celebrated - and recorded - opera companies in the world. Gergiev said the national grand theater could stand for China.

"There will be many important things happening, I am sure. We will be ready to come back, at some point. "

Throughout Gergiev's years of dedication to Mariinsky theatre, his main aim has always been to make the Mariinsky Opera Company the best in the world. Despite the quality of his company, though, he thinks the theater should cultivate more Chinese cultural products.

"But I think you need to have your own singers and dancers, most importantly. Your artists will perform here, then influential American, German, Russian, Italian companies will come as well. I think it will be a very international place. Work out a large repertoire, some popular operas, maybe some new Chinese operas -- I know Tan Dun, Bright Sheng, they are my friends and colleagues. Maybe they will write something special for this theater."

Rehearsal for "Prince Igor" at the National Grand Theater in Beijing on Christmas Eve, 2007.[Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM/Liu Bing]

Since the tickets are already sold out, only 30,000 audience members will get to experience the Mariinsky Company at the Grand Theater to experience the musical feast. The show runs from December 25 to January 6, 2008.