In tune: Conductor Jan Stulen (top) and clarinettist Dao Nhat Quang will share the stage at the Municipal Theatre on Friday. — VNS File Photos

HCM CITY (VNS)— Guest conductor Jan Stulen will lead the HCM City Ballet, Symphony and Orchestra (HBSO) at a concert on Friday.

The appearance will mark a return to Viet Nam for the Dutch conductor, who is known as a maestro that brings the most out of musicians under his baton.

Born in 1942 in Amsterdam, Stulen studied conducting as well as the piano and violin. He has built a solid reputation in Europe and performed around the world.

Stulen became chief conductor of the Netherlands Ballet Orchestra and the Netherlands Dance Theatre in 1970. From 1976 to 1992 he focused his attention on radio productions of over 1,000 compositions. Leading a wide range of orchestras and choirs, Stulen has taken on a repertoire that jumps from Bach to contemporary music and jazz.

He appears regularly as guest conductor with the State Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir in Belgium and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in Egypt. He has also worked extensively in the operatic field by conducting opera.

Besides performing in Viet Nam, Stulen will also lead master classes and workshops.

The first part of the night will begin with short pieces by Hendrik Andriessen, Vincenzo Bellini, Franz Lehar, Mozart and Vietnamese composer Dam Thanh.

Thanh's romantic piece Canh Chim Bao Tin Vui (Bird Bringing Good News), to be performed at the concert, won the Gold Medal at the International Festival in Paris in 1969.

The show will also feature vocal works performed by Korean soprano Cho Hae-ryong and the HBSO. Cho will sing the aria from Mozart's Parto ma tu ben mio from his last opera La Clemenza di Tito. The Korean soprano will be joined on stageby her husband, clarinettist Dao Nhat Quang.

The second part of the concert will feature Symphony No1 by German composer Johannes Brahms, who took 14 years to complete the symphony.

The concert will kick off at 8pm on June 9 at the Municipal Theatre, 7 Lam Son Square. Information on tickets is available online at http:\\www.hbso.org.vn. — VNS