New face to helm old opera

With her long colored and curly hair, baby face and sweet smile, fast-talking soprano Wang Li, 26, looks nothing like Jiang Jie, the nationally-known Communist heroine of China's civil war, whose story has been adapted into novels, operas and films.

Last July, despite many doubts and objections, the Performing Arts Company of China's Air Force took the risk and chose the young singer to play the famous heroine, when they revived the opera repertoire Jiang Jie.

Wang was chosen over more than 100 competitors. "Her performance exceeded our expectations. She did a lot homework and gave her own interpretation of the Communist heroine that was more touching," says Yan Su, who wrote the lyrics.