HÀ NỘI — A charity concert where Vietnamese orphans perform with artists from the UK will be held at the Hà Nội Opera House today.

The Miracle Choir and Orchestra (MCO) will perform together with Epiphany, the South Korean Children Choir, the South Korean Women Choir, pianist Trang Trịnh and conductor Park Sung-min during the concert Purity.

They will present music of Bach, Mozart and Rachmaninoff in the first part of the programme.

A highlight of the concert is a new creation composed by Peter Richards of Epiphany, inspired by Vietnamese folk songs Bèo Dạt Mây Trôi (Floating Lilies) and Trống Cơm (Little Drums) and written for the concert.

In the second part, they will perform songs to review the five-year process of MCO, an educational project that teaches music to underprivileged children.

"Through music, we want to send a message that beauty comes through harmony, we hope music can change lives," said pianist Trang.

"The children of MCO are orphans who need help from the community. Now on the stage, they are givers, not receivers. They will give audience beauty of music and hope."

Epiphany is an adaptable music ensemble that focuses on improvisation with various musical styles - from formal classical concerts to experimental events, like their ‘Sound Portraits’.

“Vietnamese audience will have a chance to enjoy ‘Sound Portraits’, in which we perform the special music dedicated for special person,” said Richards.

“When a person stands in front of us, we would try to play the music that describes that person, the music that we believe that he/she would like.”

The group has performed across the UK and in Europe and worked in deprived communities, which is part of the reasons why they are performing with the special children of the MCO.

“We have heard many songs of the MCO on YouTube and Facebook. We are totally impressed. Their music and attitude are wonderful,” said Richards.

Epiphany includes Susan Williamson (violin/viola), Fontane Liang (harp), David Hart (flute), Peter Richards (horn), Joana Garcia (cello), Shirley Richards (violin) and Richard Williamson (founder/viola).

Price for the tickets is VNĐ500,000 (US$25) and will be used to fund musical education for the orphans. 

After the concert, Epiphany and MCO will record the songs Floating Lilies and Little Drums. They intend to release a CD and introduce the songs in the UK in December. — VNS