Reminder: Opera “Carmen”

26 & 27 May 2011, 8 pm
Hanoi Opera House

Don’t forget about the opera “Carmen” performed by more than 150 artists, musicians and singers of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet next Thursday and Friday.

The modern “Carmen” performed in Vietnam would be very much different from Bizet’s classic! See updated information about the opera below:

CARMEN in HANOI

To celebrate the 100 anniversary of the building of the Hanoi Opera House, director Helena Röhr and set-designer Annsofi Nyberg return to Hanoi for a production of Bizet’s Carmen. This Carmen is set inside a Vietnamese cigarette factory. Carmen is from Hanoi and José is from Yen Bai. As Director Helena Röhr says, – with this Carmen we want to tell the story set in contemporary Hanoi, so the audience will follow and understand the story, and somehow connect it to their own lives.

This version of Carmen will focus on the theme of domestic violence in society today – particularly towards women. The opera will portray Carmen as a victim rather than someone who is to blame for what happens – as is so often seen in more traditional versions . The violence between José and Carmen, which in the end leads to her death, is indicative of the cruel reality which many women in society face today, says Helena, who, in order to better understand this terrible social problem, has cooperated closely with the NGO CSAGA, which works with survivors of domestic violence in Vietnam.

Carmen is sung by Vanh Khuyen and Don José by Thanh Binh and Nguyen Vu. The toreador, who in this version is a famous Thai Boxer, is sung by Manh Dung. The opera will be performed in French and Vietnamese by the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet theatre with the participation of the Hanoi International Choir.  There will be more than 100 people on stage, including singers, chorus and dancers. The Opera’s music director is Graham Sutcliffe who will also conduct the performances.

Helena Röhr and Annsofi Nyberg directed and produced Mozart’s Così fan tutte with VNOB in 2006 as part of the cultural exchange programme between Sweden and Vietnam. Even though that 5 year project has now ended, Hanoi has become a new hometown and creative base for the two Swedish artists.

Conductor Graham Sutcliffe, has lived and worked in Vietnam for nearly 20 years and has conducted many concerts, ballets and operas for orchestras in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi over the years. He is currently resident conductor with the VNOB.

Language: English and Vietnamese subtitle

Tickets

Ticket price: 150 000, 250 000, 350 000, 500 000 VND
All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House, or with the free delivery service below:
www.ticketvn.com
[email protected]
0913489858 (Mr. Do Phuong)
0983067996

You can also read the interview with the director, Helena Röhr, here