The opera Dream High in Aerospace, staged by the performing-arts company of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, sheds new light on the lives of test pilots. [Photo provided to China Daily]

To celebrate 66 years of the establishment of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, its performing-arts company will stage a new Western-style Chinese opera this week in Beijing.

Titled Dream High in Aerospace, the opera tells the story of Chinese test pilot Yang Yibin, who is asked to test a new indigenous aircraft. It is also a time when his wife, Qiao Weiran, is diagnosed with cancer. To have him focus on the mission, Qiao decides to keep it a secret until Yang has finished his work.

"Audiences rarely watch stories about Chinese test pilots, who are a group of mysterious people for the general public," says Wang Jian, the scriptwriter from the Performing Arts Company of the PLA Air Force. "With this opera, audiences will get a glimpse into their lives, not just as the nation's heroes, but also as husbands, fathers and sons."

Since the Performing Arts Company decided to have an opera about Chinese test pilots three years ago, the script and music have been revised several times.

The upcoming two shows will be the first time for the opera to be staged for the general public.