HCM CITY – The Yale Alumni Chorus will hold a concert tour in Hà Nội and HCM City this week as part of its 12th international tour.

The ensemble of more than 100 men and women alumni from Yale University is celebrating the school’s 153-year-old choral programme.

It will perform along with the Orchestra of the Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet in at the Hà Nội Opera House on June 21.

Two local musicians, soprano Trần Trang and also Mạnh Dũng, two American soloists, tenor John Rouse and bassist Andy Berry, and the choir’s piano soloist Scarlett Zuo will also join the choir.

They will play Mozart’s Requiem and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 under the conductor of the choir’s music director Jeffrey Douma.

“It is particularly thrilling for me to present such a famous and major work as Mozart’s Requiem to audience members in Hà Nội, working with the Orchestra of Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet and having two Vietnamese and two American soloists sharing the stage.”

The concert at HCM City Conservatory on June 23 will feature Hồ Chí Minh Choir and its music director Huỳnh Quang Thái, and Tim DeWerff, accompanist at the Yale Alumni Chorus.

The performers will offer an a capella programme highlighting spirituals, Mozart, Yale songs, and traditional Vietnamese songs.

Neeta Helms, president of Classical Movements, a concert tour company, said: “Việt Nam is an extremely exciting destination for American performing ensembles. Its scenic beauty, fascinating cities and long history combined with the high quality of its professional singers and orchestra musicians makes it the perfect musical partner and venue.”

Australian and American choirs such as Grammy award winner Pacific Boys Choir and now the Yale Alumni Chorus, as well as several non-musical groups since 1995, have been brought to Viet Nam by Classical Movements.

The concert in Hà Nội will begin at 8pm at 1 Tràng Tiền Street. Tickets are VNĐ250,000 to 600,000 (US$11 to 26). They are available at https://ticketvn.com.

Meanwhile, the HCM City event will start from 7:30pm at 112 Nguyễn Du Street in District 1. Tickets costing VNĐ250,000 and VNĐ300,000 ($13) can be bought at the conservatory’s post office. -- VNS