ª¥ The arts scene in Singapore boasts of world famous artistes like Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Jackson as well as internationally renown performers like ¡°Cats¡±, ¡°Les Miserable¡± and ¡°Phantom of the Opera¡±. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra which often features well-known international conductors and soloists have regular performances at the Victoria Concert Hall and also lunch time concerts. For something a little more oriental, there are the Chinese orchestras featuring unusual string instruments. You can also find Chinese operas of wayang, which tell age old stories and legends in dramatic form and lavish costumes. These are performed in the streets or temporary outdoor theatres during festivals. ª¥
      When mentioning arts, one shouldn't neglect the art museum, which is another must in Singapore. The Singapore Art Museum is dedicated to the collection and exhibition of 20th century Southeast Asian art. It is committed to facilitating and promoting scholarship in the Southeast Asian region through its exhibitions and public programs, further stimulating the growing interest, dialogue and debate about art in the region. ª¥
      Housed in a restored historic building, the Singapore Art Museum straddles both the old and the new. Its architects and planners adapted a policy of maximum retention, retaining many of the existing architectural features of the 19th century classical building, and at the same time installing state of the art climate control facilities, thus enabling it to bring important works of art for exhibition in Southeast Asia from various museums and collectors around the world. The architecture of the building lends character to the museum, and enhances its miss ion of promoting awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage not just of Singapore but that of its neighbors. ª¥
      In subsequent years, the Singapore Art Museum hopes to continue its three pronged dynamic exhibition and public programming by building its strength from its growing permanent collection, bringing in important international exhibitions and undertaking collaborative ventures with museums and cultural institutions in the region.