AWARD-WINNING BALLET: The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera will stage Ballet Kiều, which won the excellence award at the National Dance and Music Festival 2022, at the Opera House on May 13 and 14. Photo courtesy of HBSO

HCM CITY — The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will stage Ballet Kiều at the Opera House on May 13 and 14.

The ballet is based on Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều), the 18th century poetic masterpiece by great poet Nguyễn Du (1765-1820).

Truyện Kiều recounts the life, trials and tribulations of Thúy Kiều, a beautiful and talented young woman who sacrificed herself to save her family.

The dance piece was written by celebrated choreographer Tuyết Minh in 2018. She is also the ballet’s director.

Minh said her work did not feature the whole story of Nguyễn Du’s work. “My work highlights the fate of women in feudal society and their aspiration for love and happiness,” she said.

“I want to bring audiences to experience Kiều’s happiness and sweetness as well as her extreme sorrows and challenges.”

Minh, a pioneer in popularising contemporary dance, has written, directed and choreographed 14 ballets and contemporary dances such as Con Tạo Xoay (The Spinning Top) and Vợ Chồng A Phủ (A Phủ and His Wife).

Minh invited choreographer Nguyễn Phúc Hùng to co-create the choreography for the ballet.

Hùng, a graduate in choreography of Fontys Dance Academy in the Netherlands, is general director in charge of HBSO's programmes. He has choreographed several contemporary dances such as Những Mảnh Ghép Của Giấc Mơ (Dream Puzzles), Chạm Tay Vào Quá Khứ (Touching the Past), Đi Qua Tình Yêu (Gone Through Love), and Falling Angels.

Musicians Việt Anh and Chinh Ba are in charge of music for the show.

Anh, who was musically trained in New Zealand, is known for his instrumental works, including Spring Prayer Suite for orchestra and choir, Vô Đề Cầm (Untitled Instrument), Trường Sơn Suite and Chân Trời (Horizon), while Chinh Ba is an independent performance artist currently based in Hội An, experimenting across a range of poetry, art, sound and music.

DANCING STAR: Meritorious Artist Trần Hoàng Yến will play leading character Thuý Kiều in 'Ballet Kiều'. Photo courtesy of HBSO

The performance will feature Việt Nam’s leading dancers such as Meritorious artists Trần Hoàng Yến, Hồ Phi Điệp and Đàm Đức Nhuận.

Young dancers Kim Tuyền, Khang Ninh and Sùng A Lùng, and HBSO dancers will be featured as well.

Ballet Kiều was first staged in HCM City and Hà Nội in 2020, and received a warm welcome from critics and audiences.

The work won the excellence award at the National Dance and Music Festival in the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk in June 2022.

The Ballet Kiều’s performance will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. Tickets are available at the venue and ticketbox.vn. — VNS