Ambassadors introducing activities of the Mozart month in Hanoi.

VietNamNet - Mozart’s 250th birthday is being marked this year across the classical music world. Fans of Mozart in Hanoi can join the celebration with a spectacular month-long festival which runs from early September through early October, said a joint press release.

Brought to Vietnam by the EU Member States embassies of Finland, Austria and Sweden and the Goethe Institute, the festivities feature a concert gala, two operas and a film programme, all paying tribute to the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The opening concert gala of the festival, 8 September at the Hanoi Opera House at 8pm, will feature two renowned soloists from Germany: Julia Galic (violin) and Ton Nu Nguyet Minh (piano) and musicians of the Tübingen Chamber Orchestra and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gudni Emilsson. The concert features a selection of some of Mozart’s most famous works and melodies such as Don Giovanni.

The festival will proceed with the premiere of the opera The Magic Flute, one of Mozart’s most famous masterpieces, which was written shortly before his death in 1791. This vibrant and enchanting production, co-produced by the Austrian embassy and the Ministry of Culture and Information, features dazzling and colourful designs by Austrian opera specialists. Regarded as Mozart's most quirky and irresistible opera, The Magic Flute delights both seasoned and first-time opera audiences, including children, thanks to a fantastical, multi-layered tale told through charming characters and familiar, accessible music which will be performed by a cast of young singers of the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, and musicians of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Wolfgang Gröhs. Daily performances will be staged between 16 and 20 September.

Another delicacy is a production of the Mozart's final comic opera. First produced over 200 years ago, just one year before his death, Cosi Fan Tutte or “the School For Lovers” contains some of Mozart's most beautiful and moving music. Filled with sparkling arias, witty ensembles, laughter, temptation and love, Cosi Fan Tutte is an extraordinary opera, both funny and insightful. The Swedish-funded event features Swedish and Vietnamese singers blending with the orchestra of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet under the directorship of Jonas Dominique. The premiere will be on Thursday 28 September 2006 and a repeat performance on the following day.

The celebrations will be concluded with a series of films on the life and work of one of music history’s most prolific composers, directed by renowned filmmakers. The programme will take place in the first week of October at the Hanoi Cinématheque.

Mr Markus Cornaro, Head of the European Commission to Vietnam said, “The music of Mozart gives so much to so many. People all over the world are enthralled by his melodic and harmonic inventions, and perhaps even more by his sense of drama. During the month featuring Mozart’s glorious music, audiences will be presented with many oeuvres from Mozart’s enormous body of musical works, and gain a thorough overview of his musical legacy.”  

“Mozart month in Hanoi, another important event in the programme of cultural exchange between the European Union and Vietnam, will continue to strengthen the broad-based ties between our peoples and cultures”, Mr Cornaro added.

(Source: Nhan Dan)