BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Kunqu opera "A Dream of Red Mansions" will be staged at the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) from March 1 to 2.

The opera is based on the Chinese classic novel "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

It describes the fall from the height of prestige of the Jia family, whose mansions were raided and confiscated.

Jia Baoyu, a carefree male heir of the family, was born with a magical piece of "jade" in his month. He shared predestined romance with his sickly cousin Lin Daiyu, but he was betrothed to marry his other cousin Xue Baochai.

Having experienced a bittersweet life, Jia finally understood life was nothing more than a long dream.

This is part of NCPA's 2nd Kunqu Opera Arts Week, ranging from March 1 to 16. Three top Kunqu theaters in China will present a total of four operas during this event at the NCPA.

"A Dream of Red Mansions" will be presented by Northern Kunqu Opera Theater, the only professional Kunqu opera theater in northern China.

Kunqu opera combines literary texts, music, costume designs and performances and was listed as a world intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001.