Tenor Đào Mác will perform in a concert featuring excerpts from the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (The Adventure of a Cricket) at the HCM City Opera House on June 23. Photo courtesy of HBSO

HCM CITY – A concert featuring excerpts from the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (The Adventure of a Cricket) will be presented at the Opera House on June 23.

The musical is co-written by composer Vũ Việt Anh and coductor Trần Nhật Minh based on the well-known Vietnamese children’s book of the same name by late writer Tô Hoài published in 1941.

It tells the adventures of a cricket that leaves his nest to travel and discover the world. He learns new things and experiences with the help of many insects and animals.

Anh, who was musically trained in New Zealand, composed the music and wrote the libretto for the work.

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

He is known for his instrumental works, including Spring Prayer Suit for orchestra and choir, Vô Đề Cầm (Untitled Instrument), Trường Sơn Suite, and Chân Trời (Horizon), which were highly regarded and welcomed by critics and audiences.

The performances will feature vocalists Đào Mác, Phan Hữu Trung Kiệt, Trần Thanh Nam, Nguyễn Thị Duyên Quỳnh, and Vũ Minh Trí.

They will perform along with the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera’s choir and symphony orchestra.

Conductor Minh, who has a Master's of Music in Conducting from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, will lead the concert.

Both Minh and Anh are working on the full version of the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký. It is expected to premiere later this year.

The concert will begin at 8 pm at 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. Tickets are available at the venue and at www.ticketbox.vn. VNS