“I don’t know what to say,” echoed through the auditorium as the curtain rose on a sweeping historical canvas, marking the premiere of the new version of the epic opera Long March at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing on October 22, 2026.
Revised Long March Opera Debuts with Live-Stream Technology
- The newly revised opera Long March debuted on October 22, 2026, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, tracing pivotal historical milestones from Ruijin to Huining.
- The production reached 183 screening locations nationwide via the NCPA’s “Super Live” live-stream platform, incorporating 4K ultra-high-definition and AR virtual production technologies.
A Grand Retelling of Historic Milestones
The newly revised production faithfully reconstructs key historical nodes of the Red Army’s epic journey, including the departure from Ruijin, the Battle of the Xiangjiang River, the Zunyi Conference, the crossing of the Luding Bridge, the climbing of snow-capped mountains, the traversal of the grasslands, and the Huining meeting. Framing the narrative around the concept of “the great walk,” the work highlights the spiritual resilience and physical endurance of the Red Army soldiers.
Under the baton of Lü Jia, the National Centre for the Performing Arts orchestra opened the evening with an overture while a massive projection of the Long March route unfurled across the central backdrop.
Updated Staging Enhances Visual Impact of Historical Scenes
Ten years after the original 2016 premiere, the production features staging updates designed to amplify visual impact. The updated sets incorporate floating bridges outside Ruijin, the turbulent waters of the Xiangjiang River, blinding snowstorms over Jiajin Mountain, and vast, perilous grasslands. When key moments like the Zunyi Conference and the seizure of the Luding Bridge occur, the upper stage displays giant relief sculptures of historical figures.
Complementing the main stage action, dance troupes from the Lvliang City Culture and Art Center and Lixian Daoqing Research Center executed choreography representing the 240-li forced march and fierce combat. NCPA President Wang Ning noted that the staging coincides with the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers’ and Red Army’s Long March, aiming to carry forward revolutionary heritage.
| Production Element | Original 2016 Production | Revised 2026 Production |
|---|---|---|
| Core Visuals | Standard stage projection and physical set pieces | Giant character relief sculptures and enhanced digital layers |
| Live Broadcasting | Traditional theatrical staging only | Expanded “Super Live” reaching 183 nationwide screening points |
| Choreography Integration | Focused on principal vocalists and chorus | Expanded ensemble dance sequences depicting forced marches |
Technology-Driven National Broadcast
The NCPA extended the reach of the premiere through its “Super Live” initiative, broadcasting the performance live to 183 screening locations across the country. Vice President Ma Rongguo explained that planning for the broadcast network began early in the year to maximize geographic coverage.
The broadcast leveraged advanced technical formats, utilizing 4K ultra-high-definition video, 5.1 surround sound, and newly introduced AR virtual production technologies. Audio capture utilized domestic high-end three-dimensional spherical microphones to pick up environmental acoustics, blending virtual and physical stage elements. Additionally, pre-show introductions and intermission segments allowed audiences to view behind-the-scenes creation processes and interact with the production’s artistic team. The run of the new version of Long March is scheduled to continue through October 28.
