Those disappointed by the decision to cancel shows extended far beyond Beijing.

"I've been looking forward to the shows in China but the decision to cancel the shows is understandable," the newspaper Beijing Daily quoted the Italian conductor Pietro Rizzo as saying. "I hope things get better soon."

Rizzo had been down to visit Beijing as conductor for a performance of Aida, featuring more than 500 artists from six countries, at the NPCA on Feb 26.

In addition to online screenings of concerts and shows, the online channel also offers free dance classes given by the Chinese dancer-choreographer Wang Yabin, coaching people about traditional Chinese dance.

"Music has the power to soothe babies to sleep, to communicate peaks of joy and depths of sorrow," said Guan Zhijing, bass-baritone of the NCPA's opera actor team. "We want to share music with more people at this unusual time."

Guan, of Beijing, said he had gone through the ordeal of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak 17 years ago.