A SET of chimes and other instruments were excavated from the tomb of Zenghou Yi (475 - 433 B.C.), a Warring States duke in Suixian County (now Suizhou City in Hubei Province) in 1978. Known as the “Zenghou Yi bells,” these are the largest ancient percussion instruments found so far. The bells are a three-tiered set of 65 refined bronze bells. Hanging from a wooden frame, they formed the three sides of a rectangle. The musical range of the Zeng Houyi bells, which can carry the main melody as well as the harmony, was more than five octaves, second only to the modern piano.

Inspired by the archaeological findings, which confirmed Zenghou Yi as a man versed in music and making instruments besides a war strategist, Beijing opera “Zenghou Yi” relates the love story between Zenghou and a girl named Yu Ji as well as how they create the miraculous bells.