A special art program called “Spring for the Party” was opened Sunday evening at Hanoi Opera House by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on February 3. Performing at the program were artists of many theatres, including Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) with the choreographer, Emeritus Artist Tran Ly Ly.
The event was attended by Politburo members: Mr. Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo members and the permanent member of the Secretariat, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party Central Committee, Chairman of the VCP Central Organization Commission, Mr.Vo Van Thuong, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Head of the PCC’s Commission for Communication and Education, Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Secretary of Party Central Committee (PCC), General To Lam, Member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security…. and others key figures within the Politburo and the CPV.
The art program with the theme of “Spring rising to the Party” takes place in 90 minutes, including 3 main parts: “Spring of the Party”, “The country with four seasons of flowers”, “Spring love song”. All featured everlasting songs in praise of the glorious Communist Party, great President Ho Chi Minh, and a new spring. Performers included renowned artists of Vietnam, including VNOB as Emeritus Artist Manh Dung, To Loan, Tran Trang, Bui Trang (singers), Emeritus Artist Phan Luong, Emeritus Artist Quynh Nga, Emeritus Artist Nguyen Thi Can, Thu Hue, Thu Hang (dancers)…
During the program, The Party flag has been seen throughout the country. The music and song lyrics about the Party are very poetic, concise, and imbued with the ideology of the Communists. Artists always long for performing songs about the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the TOP 10 culture, sports and tourism events of Vietnam in 2019, in which the master piece of Swan Lake from Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) was announced.
The performance of the world-famous classical ballet Swan Lake by artists from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) made a great success. The 8 shows were a record for the VNOB, selling out a month before the opening night.
The world-famous classical ballet Swan Lake show was a record for the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, selling out a month before the opening night
The events were selected from 39 nominations by agencies and units under the ministry and the provincial departments of culture, sports and tourism, including 21 cultural, 11 sporting and seven tourism events.
The nominations were shortlisted through an online poll from January 2 to 6 and then through direct votes by culture, sport and tourism journalists at the ministry’s head office on January 3.
Other events in culture were the “then” practice of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Outstanding events in sport included Vietnam finishing second out of 11 countries at the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The competition was a huge success for Vietnam, with men’s and women’s national football teams winning gold medals and athletes performing well in Olympic sports such as swimming and track and field.
In the field of tourism, Vietnam welcomed over 18 million international tourists for the first time, up 16.2 percent year-on-year, as well as 85 million domestic visitors, up 6 percent. Total tourism revenue was estimated at over 726 trillion VND (31.1 billion USD), a yearly rise of 17.1 percent.
Vietnam was also ranked among the world’s 10 fastest growing travel destinations by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
The top 10 events are:
– Law on Library, a motivation to develop libraries and promote reading culture
– The return of classical ballet Swan Lake to the Vietnamese stage after 35 years
– Then practice of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
– Celebration of 100 years of cai luong (southern opera)
– Vietnam came second in the 30th Southeast Asian Games
– Impressive achievements of the national football teams
– Vietnam is the 22nd country in the world to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix
– Vietnam attracted over 18 million tourists last year
– Vietnam’s attractions won prestigious international and regional tourism prizes
– Vietnam successfully hosted the ASEAN Travel Forum 2019
Ballerina Nguyễn Thu Huệ will perform as the white and black swans in Swan Lake on October 7. She will make one of ballet’s most iconic moments not only in her career but also for Vietnamese ballet to be the first Vietnamese dancer acting two main character in the ballet. The ballet is choreographed by Lê Ngọc Văn, from the English National Ballet on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB). Việt Nam News reporter Nguyễn Thúy Bình talks with Huệ about her roles in Swan Lake.
You are the first Vietnamese dancer to perform the two swans in Swan Lake. How do you feel?
When I found out I would perform the leading roles in the ballet, I was very worried. I have performed as the white swan but never as the black swan. I know that the black swan is one of the most difficult roles to perform.
What difficulties did you encounter during rehearsals?
I perform as the two swans, which requires not only technique but also good health. I think this is an opportunity for all ballet dancers who haven’t had many chances to perform in a big ballet like Swan Lake. It is a big challenge for me. I joke that I need to have an ambulance waiting outside the theatre. I want to reach a milestone in my career, so I have something to be proud of later. I am supported by many people, including veteran dancer Bùi Ngọc Quang. He used to perform in dance troupes in Russia such as The Mariinsky Ballet and St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. He helps me to get acquainted with the movement of the black swan. Then choreographer Lê Ngọc Văn comes back to Việt Nam to join the project. He has to research movements to suit my body. The bodies of Vietnamese dancers differ from western dancers, so it is difficult for the choreographer to select movements. I thought a lot before the rehearsal and I watched many versions of the ballet. The more I watched, the more confused I got. The most difficult part is featuring two opposite characters in one body.
Thu Hue and Dam Han Giang are soloists of the Swan Lake by VNOB
How do you perform the differences between the two roles?
The black swan takes me and the choreographer a lot of time. The white and the black are two sides of life. It represents good and evil within each and every person. I have performed good and gentle characters in ballets like Giselle and Nutcracker, but have never acted a role like the black swan. It is symbolic of emotion, creating conflict and difficulty in reaching perfection. It challenges me a lot. I’m the white swan for 20 minutes and then quickly change to be the black swan. The roles require a huge amount of physical stamina. It is really hard to get through because I’m breathing so hard and my muscles are burning. Beyond technique, I also want to bring to life the deep and complicated character. I want to use the steps to express something about the white swan. That is what elevates ballet from being athletic to being artistic.
Thu Hue as Black Swan
What is more difficult, technique or expressing emotion?
I can’t choose. Ballet is special in that when a dancer feels tired, they still have to perform. I don’t think about the difficulty because it will discourage me. In Swan Lake, I have to do onstage what I have never done before. I have to make it look effortless. I hope the audience will see the two characters in the story not only on the stage.
You have three months to rehearse. What do you hope for?
Good health and no pain. After the first rehearsal with the choreographer, my ankle swelled up like an apple. This is the first time I danced in a four-act ballet. I have to work six days a week. I wish I had more time to rehearse.
Why did you choose to study ballet?
I like singing and dancing when I was young. And I was confident to perform on stage. One day, I learned that Việt Nam Dance Academy was recruiting in Thanh Hóa Province and I asked my parents to try. I was 12 years old. I was too young to live and study in Hà Nội, far from home. My parents did not want me to go. I told them that I would go on hunger-strike if they did not agree. It was funny because I didn’t even know what ballet was. I struggled to become a ballerina because of my long toes. I was discouraged many times but my teacher Nguyễn Quỳnh Lan inspired me with a love for ballet. I also got support from VNOB leaders and veteran dancers. After working at the theatre for just three months, I became a soloist in The Nutcracker.
I need to try different stages. As a ballerina, I need to learn much more because at school I just learn the background. I have to get performing experience from veteran dancers.
After more than a hundred years of premier, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is always the fascination of those who love the art created from the footsteps. It isn’t only just a play about a fairy love but shows the human philosophy and the depth of one’s soul.
The Swan Lake ballet of Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) is an alternation highlights to create a unique feature. Hundreds of artists, actors, musicians of the
VNOB and Vietnam National Academy of Dance contribute their passion and artistic love to this dance.
Sharing beats of Swan Lake, Tonkin Media is now becoming a partner unit for the Swan Lake play. All wishes to bring the audience a party that every moment touches the hearts of art lovers.
Once, Come and enjoy this classic play tickets available on the VinID app: https://id.vin/Wec
After successful ticket purchasing, the ticket will be delivered to the registered address within 5-7 working days.
Delivery fee is VND 33,000 and it is included in the ticket price when buying tickets on VinID. There is no additional charge to you when you receive your ticket.
Download the VinID app and buy tickets at: https://id.vin/Wec
—
VinID the official ticket distributor of Swan Lake
*Note: * After successful payment, you will receive the ticket code in the “My Tickets” section to redeem your hard ticket – please keep your ticket code secure.
* Tickets purchased are not refundable / canceled or exchanged to another ticket type.
?Time: 20:00 on 04 & 05/12/2019
?Venue: Hanoi Opera House
?Hotline: 0385659993 / 0944618555
The Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) marked the 60th anniversary of its establishment with one of the most loved and mesmerizing of classical ballets, “Swan Lake” by the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky at Hanoi Opera House on October 7.
On this occasion, the theater held a ceremony receiving the second-class Labor Medal.
More than 60 artists worked hard to bring to the audience, for the first time ever, the complete Tchaikovsky’s ballet masterpiece “Swan Lake” that was choreographed by Le Ngoc Van and conducted by Dong Quang Vinh. It is the first time this ballet was fully performed in Vietnam was in 1985 under the direction of a Russian expert.
It took several months of practice to prepare for the concert. The new production has captivated audiences with traditional Russian style combined with new Vietnamese choreography.
The VNOB’s new production captivated audiences with Russian traditional style while adding new Vietnamese choreography and baroque style costumes featuring patterns of lotus flowers which were created by the Ellie Vu design.
“Swan Lake” is a timeless love story that mixes magic, tragedy and romance. It has mesmerized audiences for over a century, and is based on a German fairy tale. Tchaikovsky’s score tells the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess Odette, who is cursed to be a swan by day but a young woman at night./.
The Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) will perform a Vietnamese classical opera and a Russian ballet between October 5 and 7 at the Ha Noi Opera House to celebrate the 60th anniversary.
The opera titled Người Tạc Tượng (Sculptor) by late composerĐỗ Nhuận (1922-1991) will be performed on October 5 and ballet Swan Lake will take place on October 7.
This is the first time since 1975 the opera has been restaged by the theatre. Composer Đỗ Hồng Quân, Đỗ Nhuận’s son and also the music director for the show, said the performance is a great effort of the theatre to restage an opera, which is considered a musical heritage of the country.
Panorama of the press conference
This time, a team of experienced artists will include Emeritus Artist Trần Ly Ly, acting director of the VNOB, who acts as the show’s art director; composer Đỗ Hồng Quân, chairman of Việt Nam Musicians’ Association, as music director; Emeritus Artist Trần Lực, as the director; painter Hoàng Hà Tùng as fine art designer; and People’s Artist Hồng Phong, as dancing director.
The opera will gather other famed performing artists like Mạnh Dũng, Tố Loan and Bùi Thị Trang.
Composer Quân said though the content features love in a fierce war, the opera will focus on love, loyalty and patriotism rather than the war itself.
Artists rehearse for the opera
Composer Nhuận was the first General Secretary of the Việt Nam Musicians’ Association between 1958 and 1983. He is among leading composers of revolutionary music. He was also the only composer of Vietnamese contemporary music’s first generation to be trained professionally at Tchaikovsky Music Conservatory in 1960-62.
Nhuận was among the first composers, who laid the foundations for Western opera in Việt Nam.
His first operas were composed in late 1950s.
He then composed opera Cô Sao (Miss Sao), Người Tạc Tượng (Sculptor) and Nguyễn Trãi in the 1980s.
He was the author of various historical songs of Vietnamese contemporary music like Du kích sông Thao (Guerillas by Thao River), Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi (Việt Nam – My Homeland), and Tôi Thích Thể Thao (I Like Sports).
Beside opera Người Tạc Tượng, the world famous Swan Lake ballet will be performed on this special occasion.
This is the first time ever the full ballet will be performed instead of excerpts by Vietnamese dancers over the last 30 years.
Swan Lake is ready
Hundreds of artists, including Meritorious Artists Dam Han Giang and Nhu Quynh, Thu Hue, Thu Hang, dancers of the Vietnam Academy of Dance, artists of VNOB, the instrumental ensemble of 60 musicians will join the performance under the baton of conductor Dong Quang Vinh.
They took 6 months of practice to prepare for the concert, said Emeritus Artist Tran Ly Ly, director of the VNOB.
Emeritus Artist Trần Ly Ly initiated the idea of restaging the full Swan Lake by only Vietnamese dancers.
“This is a brave decision by the theatre’s managing board and the artists,” she said. “As the task does not only require financial investment but also high concentration of the whole team with 60 musicians and 60 dancers.”
It took the artists six months to rehearse for the show.
This version of the Swan Lake will be basically in Russian style but will be mingled with some special highlights to create significant features of the Vietnamese version,” she said.
Costumes for the show have been made byEllie Vu’s team with Russian royal designs decorated with Vietnamese lotus patterns.
This is the first time a Vietnamese full version of Swan Lake will be staged.
The most loved and mesmerizing of classical ballets, “Swan Lake” was Tchaikovsky’s first. It was composed in 1875 and over 100 years later it remains a favorite with ballet companies regularly performing it throughout the world. “Swan Lake” debuted in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, but it was not well-received at the time.
In 1895, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov reworked the choreography for their St Petersburg performance and this has remained the most popular version. “Swan Lake” made its American debut with a 1940 performance by the San Francisco Ballet.
“Swan Lake” is a timeless love story that mixes magic, tragedy and romance. It has mesmerized audiences for over a century, is based on a German fairy tale. Tchaikovsky’s score tells the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried and Swan Princess, Odette, who is cursed to be a swan by day but a young woman at night.
7 artists of Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) including in a total of 391 outstanding artists were honored with the State titles of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist at a ceremony held at the Hanoi Opera House on August 29, with the attendance of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other senior leaders of the State.
These titles are the State’s most noble awards for artists in recognition of their talents as well as dedication and contributions to the country’s arts sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Phuc said over the past years, writers and artists have contributed to the struggle for national independence, freedom and reunification, as well as national construction and defence. He lauded the efforts, talents and dedication of the artists, and described them as pioneers in preserving, developing and spreading the nation’s cultural and artistic values both at home and abroad. The leader pointed out limitations and challenges currently facing the cultural and artistic sector, including cultural degradation.
Choreographer Nguyen Hong Phong received the Title of People Artist by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc
Given this, the most urgent task is to perfect the standards and values of the Vietnamese culture and people, making culture a foundation for economic development, and the nation’s internal strength, he said.
Promoting cultural and human values has been defined as one of strategic breakthroughs in strategic documents on socio-economic development for 2021-2030, as well as socio-economic orientations and tasks for 2021-2025 which are being prepared for the 13th National Party Congress, he noted.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the artists will work harder to develop the Vietnamese arts sector and promote Vietnamese culture abroad
Mr. Truong Huu Van (Clarinet – VNOB)
In the year of 2019, 60 years of VNOB celebration, it’s very honor for VNOB to have 7 individuals to receive State’s title, including 1 People Artist and 6 Emeritus Artists. The artist honored as People Artist is choreographer Nguyen Hong Phong. 6 other Emeritus Artists are Mr.Truong Huu Van (Clarinet), Mr. Le Tuan Anh (Concert Master and Violin), Mr. Vu Manh Dung (Opera Singer), Ms. Bui Viet An, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang and Ms. Mai Thi Nhu Quynh (Ballet Dancers).
Tuyet Hoa
Opera Singer Vu Manh Dung (VNOB)
Ballet Dancer Bui Viet An (VNOB)
3 Emeritus Artists are Ballet Dancers of VNOB: Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, Bui Viet An and Mai Thi Nhu Quynh (from left to right)
It’s common in theatrical dance for each company to adapt a piece to their own style and emphasize various interpretations. Yet, a ballet as classic as “Swan Lake”holds a number of themes that are universal to almost any productions.
Primarily, we notice a sense of beauty with fluid and dynamic movements by the prima ballerina playing Odette. She is elegant and graceful, but also somewhat uncomfortable in her human form. As a swan, she is poised, though she often feels isolated at night. Beauty does not equal confidence, sometimes it severely diminishes it.
Prince Siegfried also plays a role in his own world away from the lake. Bound by responsibility, his royal status pins him to a future that’s been decided. His reluctance leads to rebellion as he follows his heart for love, which is the central theme that prevails throughout the ballet.
The fight between good and evil is found here as well. After all, what good love story doesn’t have a little conflict? The juxtaposition of a ballerina playing two opposing roles only enhances this concept. The deception by Von Rothbart and Odile fuel the battle and, though it ends in the death of all four characters, good does ultimately prevail.
The most loved and mesmerizing of classical ballets, “Swan Lake” was Tchaikovsky’s first. It was composed in 1875 and over 100 years later it remains a favorite with ballet companies regularly performing it throughout the world. “Swan Lake” debuted in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, but it was not well-received at the time. In 1895, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov reworked the choreography for their St Petersburg performance and this has remained the most popular version. “Swan Lake” made its American debut with a 1940 performance by the San Francisco Ballet.
The Story of “Swan Lake”
“Swan Lake” is a timeless love story that mixes magic, tragedy, and romance into four acts. It features Prince Siegfried and a lovely swan princess named Odette. Under the spell of a sorcerer, Odette spends her days as a swan swimming on a lake of tears and her nights in her beautiful human form.
The couple quickly falls in love. As in most fairy tales, things are not that easy and the sorcerer has more tricks to play. That brings Odile, his daughter, into the picture. Confusion, forgiveness, and a happy ending with Siegfried and Odette together forever round off the ballet.
Reading the synopsis of the four acts will fill you in on the rest of the story. Yet, it is interesting to note that in many performances, a single prima ballerina plays both Odette and Odile. It is a role that ballerinas strive for from a very young age.
Act I
Prince Siegfried arrives at his 21st birthday celebration on the palace courtyards. Here, he finds all of the royal families and townspeople dancing and celebrating, while the young girls are anxiously seeking his attention.
During the exquisite celebration, his mother gives him a crossbow. She informs him that because he is now of age, his marriage will be quickly arranged. Hit with the sudden realization of his future responsibilities, he takes his crossbow and runs to the woods with his hunting buddies.
Act 2
Getting ahead of the group, Prince Siegfried finds himself alone in a peaceful spot by an enchanted lake where swans gently float across its surface. While Siegfried watches, he spots the most beautiful swan with a crown on its head.
His buddies soon catch up, but he orders them to leave so he can be by himself. As dusk falls, the swan with the crown turns into the most beautiful young woman he has ever seen. Her name is Odette, the Swan Queen.
Odette informs the young prince about an evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, who happens to be disguised as Prince Siegfried’s mentor. It was Rothbart who turned her and the other girls into swans. The lake was formed by the tears of their parents’ weeping. She tells him that the only way the spell can be broken is if a man, pure in heart, pledges his love to her.
The prince, about to confess his love for her, is quickly interrupted by the evil sorcerer. He takes Odette from Prince Siegfried’s embrace and commands all of the swan maidens to dance upon the lake and its shore so that the prince cannot chase them. Prince Siegfried is left all alone on the shore of Swan Lake.
Act 3
The next day at the formal celebration in the Royal Hall, Prince Siegfried is presented with many prospective princesses. Although the ladies are worthy of his attention, he cannot stop thinking about Odette.
His mother commands him to choose a bride, but he cannot. For the time being, he satisfies his mother’s request by dancing with them.
While the prince dances, trumpets announce the arrival of Von Rothbart. He brings his daughter, Odile, on whom he has cast a spell to appear as Odette. The prince is captivated by her beauty and he dances with the imposter.
Unbeknownst to Prince Siegfried, the true Odette is watching him from a window. The prince soon confesses his love to Odile and proposes marriage, thinking that she is Odette.
Horrified, Odette flees into the night. Prince Siegfried sees the real Odette running from the window and realizes his mistake. Upon his discovery, Von Rothbart reveals to the prince the true appearance of his daughter Odile. Prince Siegfried quickly leaves the party and chases after Odette.
Act 4
Odette has fled to the lake and joined the rest of the girls in sadness. Prince Siegfried finds them gathered at the shore consoling each other. He explains to Odette the trickery of Von Rothbart and she grants him her forgiveness.
It doesn’t take long for Von Rothbart and Odile to appear in their evil, un-human, and somewhat bird-like forms. Von Rothbart tells the prince that he must stick to his word and marry his daughter. A fight quickly ensues.
Prince Siegfried tells Von Rothbart that he would rather die with Odette than marry Odile. He then takes Odette’s hand and together they jump into the lake.
The spell is broken and the remaining swans turn back into humans. They quickly drive Von Rothbart and Odile into the water where they, too, drown. The girls watch the spirits of Prince Siegfried and Odette ascend into the heavens above Swan Lake.
Close to 700 artists from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were brought together at the Road No 9 Singing Festival which closed in the central province of Quang Tri on July 25. At the awarding ceremony, Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) reached 11 difirent medals and prizes.
The performances featured the themes of revolutionary struggles and cause of national construction and defence as well as praised the patriotism and beauty of Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian culture, land and people.
Nguyen Quang Vinh, acting Director of the Department of Performing Art under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said more than 100 musical performances were staged during the six-day event.
The festival created a professional creative art environment for artists nationwide to continue performing new songs about the aforesaid themes, he added.
The event was co-organised by the Department of Performing Art, Vietnam Musicians’ Association, Vietnam Dance Association, and Quang Tri provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
At the closing ceremony, the organising board presented gold medals to an art troupe from the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, the Vietnam Military Music, Song and Dance Theatre, and Vietnam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre.
The best opera award was presented to the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet while the silver medals went to art troupes from the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum and the host Quang Tri.
The most outstanding performances staged at the event were honoured with 15 gold and 19 silver medals.
The organising board also presented campaign medals to Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian art troupes.
National Road No 9 is a symbol of friendship between the three countries. Stretching along the Truong Son Mountain Range and the Ho Chi Minh trail, it was an important route for moving supplies, equipment and troops from the north to the south of Vietnam during the resistance war against the US.
Many battles took place in the area as the US wanted to destroy the road. The victory of the Road No 9 campaign significantly contributed to the southern liberation and unification of Vietnam.
Every three years, the Department of Performing Arts holds the festival to strengthen solidarity between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and pay tribute to fallen soldiers of the three countries.
