When Kim Jong Il entered the auditorium together with Wen Jiabao, all the audience enthusiastically welcomed them with loud applause.

Present there on invitation to see the performance were Yang Jiechi, minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, Zhang Ping, minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, Chen Deming, minister of Commerce, Cai Wu, minister of Culture, Xie Fuzhan, director of the Research Office of the State Council, Qiu Xiaoxiong, vice secretary-general of the State Council and director of the Premier's Office, Wu Dawei, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Liu Zhenqi, deputy director of the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and other suite members, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and staff members of the Chinese embassy here and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK.

The audience included Kim Yong Il, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Jong Gak, member of the NDC of the DPRK and first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, Choe Thae Bok and Kim Ki Nam, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Choe Jin Su, DPRK ambassador to China, leading officials of party, armed forces and power organs, ministries and national institutions and working people in the city of Pyongyang.

The opera, which was produced at the proposal of President Kim Il Sung and under his meticulous guidance nearly half a century ago, is a work adapted from a Chinese famous classic novel. This may have been buried into oblivion but was re-produced as required by the new century thanks to Kim Jong Il who assigned the opera troupe to the task of reproducing the work this year, a year of the "DPRK-China friendship", and gave valuable instructions scores of times.

The Phibada Opera Troupe honored with the Kim Il Sung Order successfully re-produced the opera, fully reflecting the requirements of the original work.

The performance was highly acclaimed by the audience for the high artistic talents of the performers.

Kim Jong Il and Wen Jiabao raised their hands high to warmly acknowledge the enthusiastically cheering performers and audience.

Wen presented a floral basket to the performers in congratulation of their success.