Published on Sep 24, 2026

Rating:

Genre: NCPA

Dates: October 22-28, 2026

Times: 7:00pm

Venue: Opera House of NCPA

Prices: 100, 200, 300, 450, 520, 600, 680, 880

Features: The NCPA new production and Chinese epic opera The Long March will be performing at Opera House of NCPA from October 22nd-28th, 2026.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

2026 marks the 90th anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. To commemorate this historic milestone, the NCPA presents a new production of the Chinese epic opera The Long March in October 2026.Since its premiere in 2016, the original production has been performed in 67 performances across 13 runs, earning widespread acclaim.Building on the original production, the new production features refined musical expression and a renewed stage presentation. Using the Long March as a powerful narrative thread as a great journey, the production follows the Red Army soldiers through their arduous marches and battles, capturing the light of faith and the strength of the human spirit that sustained them along the way.

SYNOPSIS

In 1934, following the failure of the fifth counter-compaign against encirclement and suppression, the Red Army is forced to withdraw from Ruijin. Faced with many wounded comrades, Commander ZENG and Commissar PENG find themselves torn between difficult decision of whether to leave or stay behind. PENG’s wife, Dr. HONG, makes the courageous decision to stay and care for the wounded. As the couple prepares to part, perhaps for the last time, they sing the deeply moving duet “I Don’t Know What to Say”. Then, to the stirring music of “We Will Win in the End”, the Red Army soldiers bid farewell to Ruijin and embark on the long and arduous journey of the Long March.

The Xiangjiang River Campaign is one of the bloodiest battles of the Long March. After fierce fighting, Commissar PENG sings “In the Cold Night”, its powerful melody rekindling the soldiers’ faith and determination. When the Red Army reaches Zunyi, they finally have an opportunity to regroup and rest. With enemy forces closing in from all sides, the soldiers sing “The Song of the Assault” as they fight their way through the encirclement, ultimately accomplishing the extraordinary feat of capturing the Luding Bridge.

Crossing snow-covered mountains and trekking across vast grasslands, the Red Army soldiers endure one hardship after another. The young soldier Boy Ping falls ill after eating wild herbs and eventually succumbs. In his final moments, he sings “I Cannot Bear to Leave the Red Army,” expressing his deep attachment to the comrades and cause he has devoted himself to.

After enduring countless hardships and dangers, the Central Red Army, the Second Front Army, the Fourth Front Army, and the Red Army forces from northern Shaanxi finally meet in victory at Huining, on the border of Shaanxi and Gansu. The opera comes to a powerful close with a grand and stirring chorus, celebrating the historic reunion.

Tickets for Chinese Epic Opera The Long March are Available now!