Chongqing - A true story-based traditional Chinese music concert "Millennium Farewell" will be staged as a charity event soliciting public contribution at the Grand Theater in Jiangbei District on March 27, according to Wednesday's press conference of the Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Commission.

Officials from the city's culture and tourism authority hold a press conference on the upcoming concert.

Millennium Farewell takes on the story of Mao Xianglin, village chief of Xiazhuang Village in the northeastern Wushan County's Zhuxian Township, who spent 7 years leading local villagers to cut a cliffside road along a precipice that blocked their way out.

Mao has been hailed as a modern "Yu Gong," a legendary folklore figure who razed a mountain to the ground, for his incredible deed greatly shortened the travel distance from more than 4 days to a mere one and a half hours, which not only facilitated the interaction between the impoverished village and the outside world but also paved the way for local villagers to shake off poverty.

Mao was awarded as a national role model for poverty alleviation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 25. Chinese President Xi Jinping himself presented the honorary certificates to a total of 10 national role models including Mao at the grand gathering, which was held to mark the country's complete victory in eradicating absolute poverty and honor its model poverty fighters.

An aerial photo shows how the Xiazhuang Village is surrounded by mountains.

The large stage performance features national first-class conductor He Jianguo as the general director, famous songwriters such as Guan Xia, Zhao Dongsheng, Hao Weiya, and Wang Danhong as the composers, and outstanding lyricists like Liang Mang and Xiong Erkang as the librettists. 

President of the Chongqing Opera House Liu Guangyu, soprano singers of the National Orchestra of Chongqing, as well as choirs from the Chongqing Normal University, Renhejie Primary School will also make a guest appearance in Millennium Farewell.

Photo from last year's trial run of the Millennium Farewell concert.

The poverty alleviation-themed concert has already had a trial run late last year at the Shi Guangnan Theater in Nan'an District, which won rounds of applause from over 600 music experts and enthusiasts, including officials from the city's publicity department, culture and tourism commission, and poverty alleviation authority.

The tickets are currently sold at prices ranging from 100 yuan, 180 yuan, 280 yuan, 380 yuan, to 580 yuan for various seats, and all the ticket revenues and public contributions from this show will be donated to Mao's village.

A poster of the Millennium Farewell concert