SUNSET EYES: The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera dance 'Hoàng Hôn' (Sunset), created by Nguyễn Phúc Hải and Nguyễn Phúc Hùng, will be staged at the city Opera House on September 15. — Photo courtesy of HBSO

HCM CITY — Vietnamese contemporary dance Hoàng Hôn (Sunset) will be performed at the Opera House on September 15.

The production consists of three parts – Hy Vọng (Hope), Tình Yêu (Love) and Ánh Mắt Hoàng Hôn (Sunset Eyes), reflecting people’s love, faith and loyalty during war time.

It is written and directed by experienced choreographers Nguyễn Phúc Hải and Nguyễn Phúc Hùng of the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO).

Both artists have choreographed and performed many dance pieces 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 Ru Đêm (Night Lullaby).

Hải, head of the HBSO’s Ballet Department, said: “The dance piece tells stories of war, but not recreating its cruelty or sorrow. We just want to highlight beautiful tales about people and things. However, there is still pain behind the stories because war is not a joke.”

The choreography is created by Hùng, a graduate in choreography of Fontys Dance Academy in the Netherlands, and Meritorious Artist Trần Hoàng Yến, one of the country’s leading dancers, who joins with Hùng in the choreography of many works such as the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (Adventure of a Cricket).

The performance will include Yến, young dancers Sùng A Lùng, Đặng Minh Hiền and Đỗ Hoàng Khang Ninh, and dancers from HBSO Ballet.

The show will also present vocalists Duyên Huyền and Phạm Trang, who will give performances in special moments to create drama for the dance.

The dance’s music is written by veteran composer Vũ Việt Anh, who earned his Master’s Degree majoring in composition at Waikato University, New Zealand.

Anh is popular among local music fans for his pop songs such as Dòng Sông Lơ Đãng (Wandering River) and Đêm Nằm Mơ Phố (Dreaming of Town).

He received national prizes for his instrumental works, such as Spring Prayer Suite for orchestra and choir and Trường Sơn Suite.

He composed music for HBSO’s works such as the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký, and Ballet Kiều, which won top prizes at the 2021 National Dance and Music Festival in June.

The dance Hoàng Hôn premiered last November, and was highly regarded by critics and audiences.

The production is sponsored by the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports as part of its programme promoting Vietnamese works with high artistic value.

The performance will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. — VNS