On May 23 and 24, the Chinese opera Cradle will debut at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
Li Xincao, the president of the China Conservatory of Music and the opera's artistic director and conductor, joined the creative team and lead cast members on April 13 to share insights into the production's creation process.
Set against the backdrop of the revolutionary struggles in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province, in 1928, the opera reimagines the heroic efforts of early revolutionaries who defended the region, known as "the cradle of the Chinese revolution".
The story follows Party representative Zhang Yongqing and weaves together key events, such as the suppression of the rebellion, the defense of Huangyangjie, and land redistribution, capturing the spirit of the era.
The opera's title, Cradle, draws on Jinggangshan's historical significance as the birthplace of the Chinese revolution, but it also conveys a deeper meaning, according to Li.
