VietNamNet Bridge – A concert hosted by the HCMC Ballet, Symphony, Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will feature a recent music work and another for dancing by Vietnamese artists at the City Opera House in District 1 at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Composer Tran Manh Hung

In the first part of the “Vietnam non nuoc ngan dam” (Vietnam – Our heritage, our love) show, audiences will have a chance to enjoy “To khuc Dan ca Viet Nam - Dong chay”  (Vietnamese Folk Suite - The Flow) composed by Tran Manh Hung and played by HBSO Choir & Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Tran Nhat Minh.

This music piece was completed and unveiled to the public in August 2013 and has received an active response from local and foreign audiences. This interesting work features a diversified collection of 20 folk songs of Vietnam compiled for orchestras and choirs. Composer Tran Manh Hung wrote this artwork as ordered by conductors Tran Vuong Thach and Tran Nhat Minh with an aim to promote Vietnam’s folk songs as well as to introduce folk melodies performed by orchestras and opera singers on big stages.

According to Tran Manh Hung, this initiative was a challenge for him as there has been no precedent to transform folk songs into chamber music. It was hard for him to find a professional scriptwriter for the project. One day, he had an idea of connecting all the folk songs and completed the script in just two days.

Conductor Tran Nhat Minh

The second part of the show will stage a dancing play titled “Con mai ban hung ca” (An echoed epic) scripted by the couple of People’s Artists Vu Viet Cuong and Kim Quy and music composed by Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach and choreographed by Vu Viet Cuong, Kim Quy and Nguyen Phuc Hung and Nguyen Phuc Hai. It is performed by the HBSO Ballet, Choir & Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Tran Vuong Thach.

Vu Viet Cuong and Kim Quy have made great contributions to the development of a ballet troupe of HBSO since the first days. With many prestigious awards and titles in their careers, the couple is among the veteran artists with many contributions to the art of dancing in Vietnam.

Conductor Tran Vuong Thach

Nguyen Phuc Hung and Nguyen Phuc Hai are among the most talented choreographers in HCMC. Some of their typical artworks are “Nhung manh ghep cua giac mo” (collages of dreams), “Cham tay vao qua khu“ (a touch of the past), “Danh mat va tim lai” (lost and found) and “Vong phu Bien” (the sea and waiting for husband).

Tran Vuong Thach is currently the director of HBSO. He has had many successful compositions, including music for two southern opera plays – “Kim Van Kieu” (in 2006) and “Chiec ao thien nga” (a swan dress) (in 2007) and soundtracks for the movie “Dat phuong Nam” (the Southern land) among others.

Choreographer Vu Viet Cuong

Some talented dancers of HBSO joining the show are Tran Hoang Yen, Nguyen Thu Trang, Dam Duc Nhuan, Ho Phi Diep, and Dao Van Thien. Audiences have a chance to admire spectacular dance moves accompanied with a live performance of HBSO orchestra.

There are different ticket prices – VND200,000, VND350,000, VND400,000 and VND550,000. Students pay only VND80,000. For booking and delivery, call Ms. Huong 0989 874 517 or Ms. Ly: 0903 604 539. Online booking is available at www.ticketbox.vn.

The City Opera House is at 7 Lam Son Square in HCMC’s District 1.

SGT