The poster of "The Magic Flute" to be staged on Tianqiao Performing Arts Center (file photo)

Mozart opera’s “The Magic Flute,” co-presented by Komische Oper Berlin and the British theater group “1927,” will be performed at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing from July 21 to 23. But many were surprised to find out that tickets will cost as much as 4,699 yuan (about $694), well above the average price for the best tickets in domestic performances (usually below $148), reported Beijing Youth Daily.

The choir of Komische Oper Berlin (file photo)

According to the introduction on Tianqiao’s website, this upcoming performance will be the most iconic German opera ever produced by renowned Australian artist Barrie Kosky, the chief director of Komische Oper Berlin. On top of the original opera combined with German folk music and Viennese local play, Kosky’s “The Magic Flute” will use cutting-edge techniques to provide the audience with a revolutionary visual and aural experience.

In response to questions about the high ticket price, Ms Liu from Tianqiao told Beijing Youth Daily that 4,699 yuan was the price for a VIP package, which includes two tickets (2,080 yuan value for each), two lectures, a backstage tour, an autographed program pamphlet, themed T-shirts, and more. “The Magic Flute is very popular. Eighty percent of the tickets have been sold, and the VIP packages are sold out,” said Liu.

Jay Chou's concert (file photo)

Actually, concert lovers in China are even more upset about the skyrocketing costs for shows. Last year, tickets for Faye Wong’s concert ranged from 1,800 yuan (about $266) to 7,800 yuan (about $1152). Moreover, a 2,000 yuan (about $295) VIP ticket for Jay Chou’s concert was sold by ticket scalpers for 10,800 yuan (about $1595) after all concert tickets sold out within fifteen minutes. Are these performances really worth such a big fortune? Perhaps only the audiences can tell us.