VietNamNet Bridge – Yuzuru (Twilight Crane), a famous Japanese opera adapted from a folk story, will be staged at Hanoi Opera House on March 29 and 30.

The opera involves two famous Japanese artists, namely soprano Ieda Noriko (Tsu, a crane in human form who is the wife of Yohyo) and tenor Mochiki Hiroshi (Yohyo, a poor farmer who dreams of becoming rich).

The opera will be under the instruction of director Le Hung in cooperation with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji, a choir from Hanoi Children’s Palace and dancers from the Youth Theater.

Premiered in 1951, Yuzuku is a one act opera composed by Ikuma Dan after the play of the same name by Junji Kinoshita in 1949. The story takes place in an isolated mountain village in ancient Japan.

The story follows Yohyo who lives with his beautiful wife Tsu who is the incarnation of the wounded crane he saved by pulling an arrow from its body.

Wishing to make life easier for Yohyo, she secretly weaves a gorgeous cloth from her own feathers. In his desire to be rich, Yohyo urges the reluctant Tsu to weave more of the valuable fabric and finally the wife dies of a broken-heart. Tsu transforms back into a crane and flaps her way into the snowy twilight night on her final journey.

The story has a sad ending but is a great tale of the culture, spiritual life and love of Japan’s ancient past.

The event celebrates the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.

Source: SGT