NCPA resident artist Zhang Yang performs in the opera.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"It's my first composition with a Russian theme and I have used all of my knowledge of Russia to finish it, which is nostalgic and meaningful to me," Tang adds.

"The story of The Dawns Here Are Quiet has influenced generations of Chinese. Russians might not know how popular the story is in China, especially the movie and the music featured in it," he says, adding, the classic Russian story is told by Chinese artists in this opera.

"We share the same emotion about war, which is cruel, and we long for peace," says Wang Xiaoying, director of the opera, noting that in this new version, ballet dancers from the Mariinsky ballet will play soldiers, and singers of the Western Military District Ensemble will share the stage with Chinese singers, such as Zhang Yang and Xu Xiaoying.

According to Zhao Jiachen, vice-president of the NCPA, as well as the opera, the institution will present two concerts of classical opera arias jointly performed by Chinese and Russian artists, celebrating the long-lasting friendship between the two nations. Entitled Hello, Russia!, the concerts will be held at the Central Academic Theatre of the Russian Army on Sept 14 and 15.