Local audiences will have a chance to watch two of the world’s
time-honored classic plays, namely “Messiah” and “Gulliver’s Travels”,
in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this month, according to Tuoi tre
(Youth) newspaper.
“Messiah”, a world-famous oratorio
composed in 1741 by revered George Frideric Handel, will come to the
HCM City Opera House on May 8 and 9.
Meanwhile, the timeless play
“Gulliver’s Travels”, adapted from the novel of the same name written
in 1726 by Irish writer and clergyman Jonathan Swift, are set for May 8
at the Hanoi Opera House and May 10-11 at the HCM City Opera House.
“Messiah” makes its way to Vietnam thanks to the large-scale
projects undertaken by the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera
in coordination with the Norwegian Transposition Programme.
Considered one of the world’s classic works, the oratorio has been
taken around the world on a regular basis before finally coming to
Vietnam in full for the first time.
The performance
will feature four renowned opera singers, namely Ditte Marie Braein,
Siri Torjesen, Magnus Staveland and Halvor Melien along with ten
Norwegian artists.
Directed by well-known conductor
Lars Notto Birkeland, who is successful with the play titled “Dido and
Aeneas” which was performed in HCM City last year, “Messiah” is
one of the typical works of oratorio. Though its structure resembles
that of opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations
of characters and very little direct speech.
Meanwhile,
after a successful performing tour in more than 20 Asian and European
countries, British TNT Theater will take its “Gulliver’s Travels” to
Vietnam in English with Vietnamese caption provided.
The play will discuss several profound philosophical questions in a
vibrant, hilarious way, adorned with somersaults, stilts-walking, live
music and reflective satires.
Swift’s novel, which the
play is adapted from, is both a satire on human nature and a parody of
the ‘travelers’ tales’ literary sub-genre.
Considered
Swift’s best known full-length work and an English classic masterpiece,
the book gained in popularity as soon as it was published.
The British TNT Theater has taken some classic plays including “King Lear” and “Oliver Twist” to Vietnam.-VNA