A scene from the musical, Nan Kong, or Southern Confucianism. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A musical titled Nan Kong, or Southern Confucianism, will be staged in Beijing, with two performances on Sept 12 and 13 at the China National Opera House.

Composed by Lyu Liang, who is known for writing the music for the hit dance drama, The Painting Journey — The Legend of A Panorama of Mountains and Rivers, it tells the story of the descendants of Confucius who moved to southern China to spread his philosophy.

When Kaifeng, capital of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), was conquered by Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) forces, Emperor Gaozong and remnants of the Song Dynasty retreated to southern China. The eldest member of the 48th generation of descendants, Kong Duanyou, also moved to the south, settling in Quzhou with his family. From then on, Quzhou has served as the second-largest center for Confucian concepts in southern China.

The musical is one of three theatrical productions by the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group being staged in the capital, and which showcase the culture and history of the province.

On Sept 14, the Zhejiang Chinese Orchestra will play a concert, titled Vast Waters Between the Mountain and the Sea, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Witten by Wang Danhong, who spent three years working on the composition, and conducted by Chen Zhenxuan, the concert is divided into six chapters that use traditional musical instruments to depict Zhejiang's beautiful scenery.

The opera Red Boat, which will be staged at China National Opera House on Sept 16 and 17, brings together veteran artists, including scriptwriter Wang Yong and composer Meng Weidong. It was produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and premiered in Hangzhou in 2021.