BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Aida, one of the most popular masterpieces of preeminent Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, will be staged at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing from Oct. 23 to 28.

Premiering in 1871 and full of strong contrast in emotions, the opera tells the love story of Princess of Ethiopia Aida and Egyptian hero Radames. With their countries at war with each other, Aida's loyalty to her motherland and overwhelming infatuation with Radames paired with a messy love triangle and the hero's fall from grace has left audiences around the world lamenting over this tragic romance for over a century.

The NCPA version of Aida was first performed to the public in 2015. The upcoming version is directed by Francesco Micheli while Franca Squarciapino and Academy Award winner Ezio Frigerio work as costume designer and set designer, respectively.

Chinese sopranos He Hui and Sun Xiuwei will star as Princess Aida, while famous tenors Carlo Ventre and Warren Mok will star as Radames.