When the curtain call for the Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center echoed in the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on April 20, the Republic of China's first large-scale international arts festival came to an end. The festival, which started Feb. 8, is the brainchild of Hsu Po-yun, composer and general manager of New Aspect Promotion Corporation, the country's first artists' agency.

Some 120 performances were presented in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung by artists from the host and 15 foreign countries during the festival.

"I'm doing this because it's something that should be done," said Hsu. "An international art festival provides a good opportunity for cultural exchanges. The main purpose of establishing the company is to provide service for artists."

To operate such a company it is vital to have a good relationship with domestic and international artists and agents, an adequate knowledge of the arts and the market, competent staff, and sufficient capital.

Hsu is well suited to his difficult task. He displayed his musical talents at the age of 15 when he started to practice violin and music composition. For 10 years, he has been acknowledged as one of the leading composers in Taiwan. His versatility and wide range of interests are shown by the many roles he has played. These include being designer and engineer for a golf course, a musical columnist for the Mandarin Daily News, producer and host for the TV program "Art and Life," producer and editor of movies, as well as head of an environmental music production workshop.

Different as these working experiences are, Hsu has always been devoted to improving the quality of life. To him, work is what counts. "Let scholars of the future harvest the fruit of our dedication. I am satisfied to be a tiller and planter," he said.

He has always been particularly concerned with uplifting the cultural environment to match Taiwan's rapid economic progress. "An artists' agency is different from other companies," explains Hsu. "A trading company deals in material things while we offer spiritual enlightenment. When we present an arts performance, we feel we are contributing something to assist cultural development as well as entertaining and inspiring audiences. There is a risk in presenting an arts festival, but our company is not profit oriented."

With a young staff of more than 20 (average age 28), New Aspect sponsored more than 80 performances, seminars and exhibitions last year, running up a deficit of US$55,000 in the process. Through Hsu's efforts, international artists and musicians have been persuaded to perform in Taiwan, while distinguished local artists such as sculptor Chu Ming, pipa (balloon guitar) player Wong Ching-ping, and Lin Hui-ming's Cloud Gate Dance Ensemble have toured overseas.

Hsu was inspired to take on his task by the successful arts festivals held every spring in countries in Southeast Asia. He realized that artists would be willing to stop over in Taiwan on their way to Hong Kong or the Philippines, to perform for local audiences. Using his good contacts in international cultural circles, he was able to establish the festival of arts after four months of planning.

The festival covered a wide musical and theatrical repertoire, including performances by string quartets, brass quintets, traditional Chinese orchestras, Peiping opera troupes and dance groups. Among leading artists appearing were Ravi Shankar on the sitar, Karui Mari Fujiwara on the cello, Ruggiero Ricci on the violin, Bernard Ringeissen on the piano, J. P. Jumez on guitar, Chen Pi-hsien on piano, and Wong Ching-ping on the Chinese pipa.

Dancing performances were presented by the Theatre du Silence from France, the Luis Rivera Spanish Dance Co., and the Ballet Philippines. Exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, photograph, flower arrangement, pottery and architecture were held, combining oriental and western, and classical and modern features.

The total cost of the festival was estimated at more than US$750,000, representing a major gamble by New Aspect. Hsu, however, is from a wealthy family and has been able to cope with financial problems.

During several months of planning, Hsu and his crew were busy writing checks, soliciting funds, dealing with problems of licensing procedures, and finding suitable accommodation for visiting artists. It was not until the curtain raiser of the arts festival, "An Evening of Traditional Chinese Music and Dance," opened that Hsu and his team of workers could afford to relax.

Despite a deficit of US$125,000 on the festival, Hsu does not feel frustrated. On the contrary, he is confident Taiwan will continue to develop culturally. "Prospects are promising," he said. "Within 10 years, I think, our cultural standards will catch up with those in Japan."

Hsu said New Aspect will promote seminars, displays of musical scores and instruments, background introductions, motion pictures and musical activities in the future. His objectives are to promote international cultural interflow, to reflect the happiness and freedom of the democratic society in free China, and to enrich people's spiritual life.

[Picture Caption]

1. Presentation of works in the program "New Asian Environment in Music." 2. Prima donna Hsu Lu in one of ancient China's greatest works, Mu-tan Ting or Peony Pavilion. 3. Ravi Shanker, the great sitar master of India, performs at the international arts festival. 4. Hsu Po-yun, composer and general manager of New Aspect Promotion Corp.

1. Posters promoting the international arts festival decorate the walls of New Aspect's office. 2. Hsu and members of his family. 3. Members of Huang Li-hsuen Ballet Company presenting modern dances. 4. French guitar master J. P. Jumez on stage.

1. Members of the Luis Rivera Spanish Dance Company presenting a traditional Flamingo dance. 2. Theatre du Silence presenting a modern ballet. 3. Soprano Renee Liu on stage.

1. Violinist Ruggiero Ricci. 2. Performance by the Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center. 3. A member of the Gamelan Music and Dance Troupe of Indonesia presents a traditional dance.

Prima donna Hsu Lu in one of ancient China's greatest works, Mu-tan Ting or Peony Pavilion.

Ravi Shanker, the great sitar master of India, performs at the international arts festival.

Hsu Po-yun, composer and general manager of New Aspect Promotion Corp.

Posters promoting the international arts festival decorate the walls of New Aspect's office.

Hsu and members of his family.

Members of Huang Li-hsuen Ballet Company presenting modern dances.

French guitar master J. P. Jumez on stage.

Members of the Luis Rivera Spanish Dance Company presenting a traditional Flamingo dance.

Theatre du Silence presenting a modern ballet.

Soprano Renee Liu on stage.

Violinist Ruggiero Ricci.

Performance by the Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center.

A member of the Gamelan Music and Dance Troupe of Indonesia presents a traditional dance.