Performance honors famous composer

Serenata — Songs of Nie Er was staged at the China National Opera House in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.

Under the baton of conductors Li Xincao and Jin Ye, students and teachers of the China Conservatory of Music performed together in the production, which tells the story of Nie Er, the famous composer who wrote March of the Volunteers, the Chinese national anthem.

The chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra also joined the performance.

According to Jin, the songs featured in the production are all adapted from the music pieces composed by Nie Er, such as Song of Graduation, Song of Newspaper Boys and his best-known work, March of the Volunteers.

Born in Kunming, Yunnan province, Nie Er, whose real name was Nie Shouxin, is often referred to as "the people's musician." He created a series of music works, including more than 20 songs, music for movies, theatrical productions and one opera. Those songs reflected working class life and struggles.