Music tells stories of revolutionary heros

A symphony piece entitled, "Baipo, the origin of New China" will be front and center for a big cultural event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A symphony piece entitled, "Baipo, the origin of New China" will be front and center for a big cultural event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of  the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Let's find out more from the opening performance at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Monday night.

Musicians from the Hebei Symphony Orchestra tell the story of one of the most crucial transitional periods of the Chinese revolution. To do this, it utilizes both Western techniques as well as traditional Chinese musical instruments.

The story happens in Xibaipo, a small village in north China's Hebei province. The village was the seat of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and headquarters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army before Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee entered Beijing.

The performance has opened a series of cultural events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China. The event spans five months from June to late October.

More than 300 thousand performers from across the country will stage more than 400 shows in the capital. The shows will cover almost every genre of performing arts. They're supported by famous artists and masters including Yu Kuizhi, Pei Yanling, and Meng Guanglu from Peking Opera, and Cai Zhengren from Kunqu Opera, just to name a few.

From national troupes to private companies, artists from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, will present their traditional pieces as special gifts for the 60th birthday of the People's Republic of China.

And at least 20 percent of the tickets will be priced low starting from 20 yuan or about 3 US dollars.