HÀ NỘI — Various art performances will be presented at the Hà Nội Opera House this month as the Culture Ministry has decided to hold regular drama, chamber music and traditional opera shows.

“It’s a chance to provide audiences with high-quality performances in the historic Opera House,” said Nguyễn Đăng Chương, head of the Department of Performing Arts.

The move is also expected to help artists express their talent and introduce their work.

“We expect that the Hà Nội Opera House right in downtown Hà Nội will be visited by more visitors and audiences. It’s a rendevouzs for art lovers and helps promote Vietnamese culture to international visitors,” said Chương.

Dubbed a miniature of the Opera Garnier in Paris, the Hà Nội Opera House was built in 1911. It is the most opulent building in the capital, and houses major events, meetings, and high-class performances.

Although it is touted as a temple of Vietnamese art, the Hà Nội Opera House used to be a venue for miscellaneous, non-artistic shows, get-togethers, and celebrations for organisations and businesses. 

Top-notch performances, including traditional shows as chèo (classical opera), tuồng (classical drama), and cải lương (reformed theatre) rarely took place there. The Opera House was turned into an “event house” rather than a place for art lovers. 

Starting this month, the Việt Nam Symphony Orchestra, Việt Nam Drama Theatre, Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) Theatre and Việt Nam Chèo (Traditional Opera) Theatre will perform at the Opera House.

A special concert from the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra will start the series on August 30. It will feature Aria Largo al factotum by G Rossini, Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33 by P I Tchaikovsky and Symphony No.5 C minor, Op.67 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Until the end of this year, various art forms will be presented including the string puppet performance Vũ Điệu Hoa Quỳnh (Dances of the Night Queen) by the Việt Nam Puppetry Theatre, Hamlet by the Drama Theatre and the Nutcracker by the Việt Nam Opera and Ballet Theatre.

The schedule of the shows can be seen on hanoioperahouse.org.vn. — VNS