Original opera portraying Xian Xinghai's story debuts in Nansha

Actors perform in the ballad opera Echo of the Sea. [Photo/China News Service]

The original ballad opera Echo of the Sea, which portrays the life story of the legendary Chinese composer Xian Xinghai, made its debut recently in Guangzhou's Nansha district, local media outlets reported on Sept 13.

Xian was born in 1905 in Banmei village, Nansha's Lanhe town.

Xiong Wenhui, the playwright of the ballad opera, said that the opera chose to highlight Xian's return to China after graduating from university in Paris and showcase Xian's stories by using music as a weapon in the fight under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. 

Xiong added that the playwriting of the opera took around one year and local red cultural resources in Nansha have been added to the opera. 

Officials noted that the opera, after its debut, is expected to start touring to further promote Xian's story and Nansha's Lanhe town. 

"Lanhe town will continue to optimize construction of its cultural brand featuring Xian's story and spirit," said Tang Bin, head of Lanhe town.