"The songs are based on real stories, which make the orchestral suite very dramatic and compelling. Many of the martyrs' stories are well-known among the audience and with music, they will know the history and remember the noble spirit of those martyrs," he says.

Lyrics of Farewell Letter-one of the songs from the orchestral suite-are based on the farewell letter Shi Yanfen wrote to his family when he was in prison. He participated in the May Fourth Movement, a patriotic campaign launched in 1919, pioneered by advanced young intellectuals and joined by people from all walks of life to resolutely fight imperialism and feudalism. He died in 1928 at the age of 25.

"When I recited his letter onstage, it was very emotional. It felt like I was having a conversation with Shi Yanfen," says tenor Wang Kai, who plays the role of Shi in the orchestral suite. "Though the martyrs are not with us, they are not silent."