Citizens of Peking Flocking to First Western Music Exhibit
Peking citizens have flocked to the first exhibition in China by Western record companies, giving Chinese the opportunity to buy the music of such artists as Beethoven and Boy George.
The official Chinese view on Western music has swung wildly back and forth in recent years, but the 10-day exhibition, due to close Tuesday, indicates which way the wind is blowing.
Most of the music tapes on display in the Peking Exhibition Center last week were classical music, but pop stars, both from the West and from Hong Kong, attracted most attention from the predominantly young visitors.
“We don’t expect to sell very many tapes this time, but there’s a lot of interest when we show music videos,” said David Tang, representative of Virgin Records. “People are interested by Boy George’s androgynous look. He looks similar to one of the standard characters in Peking Opera.”
Visitors seemed to be buying tapes steadily at prices well below their market value in the West.
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