HCM CITY - Renowned Japanese taiko drummer Kensaku Satou will join Vietnamese dancers in a contemporary ballet called Senzen, which will premiere at the HCM City Opera House on December 16 and 17.

The programme is co-organised by Saigon Concert and Arabesque Việt Nam, a neo-classical and contemporary dance company in HCM City, to mark the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Japan diplomatic ties.

The ballet is choreographed by Nguyễn Ngọc Anh, who has worked with numerous art troupes in Hungary, Germany, the UK, Hong Kong, and Việt Nam.

Anh collaborated with Arabesque Việt Nam in contemporary dance works such as Sương Sớm (The Mist) and The Ballerina.

Senzen features a journey of the artists to discover their inner self, and their feelings, beliefs and desires in life. It is also a harmony of contemporary ballet and Japanese taiko drum.

Nguyễn Tấn Lộc, director of Arabesque Việt Nam and artistic director of Senzen, said, “The images of life and lotus in the theme of Senzen inspired me to create the dance. I found harmony with taiko drummer Kensaku Satou, choreographer Anh and Arabesque dancers.”

According to Satou, the upcoming show will be full of energy from flexible moves by ballet dancers and beats of a taiko drum.

The performance will highlight celebrated artists Tố Như, Vũ Minh Thư, Văn Thịnh and Japanese Chika Tatsumi, who are soloists of Arabesque Việt Nam.

In addition, the organisers will host a workshop on taiko drums at the HCM City Conservatory of Music in District 1 on December 18 to create an opportunity for music students to meet with Satou.

With 30 years as a taiko drummer, Satou spends his days improving his skills with the drum named “Fuji”, which is the largest Japanese drum in the world.

He performed at the closing ceremonies for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and toured in different countries in Europe and Africa and the US.

In 2008, he received the “Rookie of the Year Award” at the 63rd National Arts Festival organised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Satou often collaborates with ballet dancers and Noh (classical Japanese dance-drama) players.

The performance of Senzen will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. Registration for tickets  can be completed at https://forms.gle/WeHAbvdzVchbtJxd8.  VNS