An actor plays China's national anthem composer Nie Er in the original musical drama "National Anthem" presented by Shanghai Opera House at Shanghai Oriental Art Center yesterday, when the 15th Shanghai International Arts Festival lowered its curtain. The musical revolves around the short life of Nie, who drowned at the age of 23. He composed "March of the Volunteers," which eventually became the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. During the arts festival, some 47 programs were staged and more than 3,000 artists from 42 countries and regions took part. — Gao Jianping