"A Village Teacher" – a Chinese-language western-style opera was staged at the Central Academy of Drama on Friday. 

The opera premiered in Beijing in 2009 and has been regarded as the first realistic opera produced by the National Center of Performing Arts. 

It was presented at one of China's leading drama academies, featuring a group of students from the academy, who have studied opera at the academy for four years.

The opera tells the touching story of a female teacher named Yang Caihong, who dedicates her life to education in a poverty-stricken mountainous region. It gives insights into peoples' emotional conflicts and makes an in-depth study on ideals and reality, love and betrayal as well as sacrifice and dedication. 

"I think the most important thing is what our students can really learn from the story of Yang Caihong.  How can they be inspired by the figure? " said Liu Libing, director of the show. "Nowadays, we have many figures like Yang, who devote their lives to education from a young age. So besides the show itself, I think it is really important for them to study Yang's spirit, to understand the meaning of life." 

"As you know it is a Chinese-language western-style opera. This is one of the reasons we choose it, " said Shi Lei, head of the Department of Opera Performance of the academy. "The story it tells is close to our daily life. So in this show, I hope our students can showcase what they have learned from the class. The show includes various vocal parts, so our students can choose the role they're skilled in." 

"I think we young people should learn from the spirit of Yang," said Zhao Hanqing, who plays the leading role in the show, adding she was deeply impressed by the story. "That is something we really lack. Her dedication, her pure and kind personality, as well as her perseverance really touched me."

Many students said they met a lot of challenges during the rehearsals, but they loved the show and enjoyed the time working with their classmates. 

"It is not easy for me as I have to learn the moves of an old man, but for me, this is a good opportunity to try a different character I don't often play." said Gao Yichen, a member of the cast.

And Gou Anle, another performer, said: "The role I play in the show is quite different from what I used to play, which is [of] an ambitious man. It is really a big challenge for me. We have had good cooperation over the past three months, both with my classmates and my teachers. I wish they have a good future." 

The team started working on the show from September this year. Teachers from the academy also helped produce the show and some of them even joined the orchestra. 

"I saw the efforts of my students over the three months. They did their best to play their roles," said Li Yaxian, a teacher from the academy. "I'm one member of the orchestra. In the show I communicate with my students through music. In every detail, our cooperation is perfect." 

The show is one of the graduation performances of the academy's 2014 class. Many said it was a good chance to show their achievements in performing opera.