HCM CITY — The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will perform the full version of the musical Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (Adventure of a Cricket) at the Opera House on September 10.

The production is based on one of the best-known Vietnamese children’s books, published in 1941 by late writer Tô Hoài.

The book is about the adventures of a cricket that leaves his nest to travel and discover the world. He learns new things and has many experiences with the help of other insects and animals.

Hoài’s work addresses many issues still important today, including the destruction of nature, conflicts in society, and aspirations for peace.

The musical is written by choreographer and playwright Tuyết Minh, who is also its general director.

Minh said she loved participating in a production which conveyed characteristics of Vietnamese culture and people.

She added that the work also featured artistic value inherited from world music.

Minh worked with veteran choreographer Nguyễn Phúc Hùng, a graduate in choreography of Fontys Dance Academy in Netherlands, and Meritorious Artist and dancer Trần Hoàng Yên to create dance moves for the musical.

Minh won numerous top prizes in dancing and choreography in national contests, and has participated in several international art festivals in China, Thailand, South Korea, France and Germany.

She has staged 19 ballets, contemporary dance pieces, and musicals such as Thời Gian (Time), and Vinh Quang Trên Vai Người Anh Hùng (Glory on the Hero’s Shoulder).

In 2020, she worked with HBSO to present Ballet Kiều, a ballet based on Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều), the 18th century poetic masterpiece by great poet Nguyễn Du. The ballet won the excellence award at the National Dance and Music Festival in the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk in June 2022.

Meanwhile, the music for Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký is composed by Vũ Việt Anh, who earned his Master’s Degree majoring in composition at Waikato University, New Zealand.

The music, a blend of pop, rock, classical, and traditional Vietnamese music, was first performed by HBSO orchestra in 2008. It was highly regarded by critics and audiences.

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

He received national prizes for his instrumental works, such as Spring Prayer Suite for orchestra and choir and Trường Sơn Suite, and music for dance works of Ballet Kiều and Hoàng Hôn (Dawn).

The musical will star HBSO leading soloists Đào Mác, Phan Hữu Trung Kiệt, Phạm Khánh Ngọc, and Trần Thanh Nam.

HBSO’s dancers, choir and symphony orchestra will join the musical along with a children's choir and a music band.

Conductor Trần Nhật Minh, a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, will wield the baton for the night.

Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. — VNS