Shifang Yueji Music Theatre

The theatre suits percussion concerts, solo recitals, chamber concerts, showcase performances and multimedia experimental music theatre, and also formal ceremonies and talks. The walls are built of professional soundproofing materials, thick and solid, that shut out outside noise. The interior is finished in solid oak, which gives good reverberation and a clear sound. To bring out the beauty of rests and very quiet passages in music, the air-conditioning was a key part of the design: it has none of the duct noise found in typical small venues and multi-purpose halls. The audience sits in tiered rows of movable folding seats, so the space can be arranged to suit each group. In 1997 the French-trained percussionist Xu Bonian and the pianist Luo Meiya returned to Taiwan, the land they love, hoping to create a garden for the arts. At the time Taiwan had few venues for professional musicians, and even fewer suited to contemporary music, so they chose a factory in a small lane in Datong District, Taipei, and converted it into Taiwan's first privately run arts venue. The small theatre has a 3.6-metre ceiling and an acoustic space built to golden-ratio proportions. To make it a home for musicians, the café 瑪多咖啡廳 outside the theatre serves coffee, wine and meals, bringing people closer to music through food. The theatre has hosted many international masters and worked with many young musicians returning from study abroad. Many professional musicians and Golden Melody Award winners have produced and recorded albums here, many music teachers hold student concerts here, and it is a place where Taiwanese contemporary composers have grown, with forums on contemporary music.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.