Behind the scenes: Composer reflects on aligning somber poem with Macao's progress

For Wen Yiduo (1899–1946), a renowned Chinese scholar and poet, the mere thought that his poignant and grief-laden poem Song of the Seven Sons would one day be rendered in a jubilant and passionate style would have been unimaginable.

China Daily reporter Yan An spoke with composer Li Haiying during a performance at Tsinghua University, Wen Yiduo's alma mater, to explore this transformation. Li explained that his interpretation aimed to evoke joy, a deliberate departure from the poem's original somber tone, as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Watch the video to uncover how Li reimagined the emotions behind the poem to align with Macao's vibrant development.