Key player: Pianist Nguyen Bich Tra will perform at the 19th anniversary gala concert of HBSO next week. — VNS File Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — The HCM City Ballet Symphony and Orchestra (HBSO) will celebrate its 19th anniversary with a gala concert featuring internationally reputed artists, conductor Le Phi Phi and pianist Nguyen Bich Tra.

The music night, called George Gershwin and Masterpieces from Italian Operas, presented next Monday at the HCM City Opera House, will have vocal, solo instrumentals with orchestra, symphony and other pieces that will give the audience an unforgettable experience, organisers said.

The first part of the night will feature two most famous works of Gershwin, a famous American songwriter of great melodic gifts. His music is loved worldwide for its syntheses of jazz and classical traditions.

A press release on the event says Vietnamese-British pianist Nguyen Bich Tra's performances have been praised as "coruscating" (The Independent), "sophisticated" (Rheinpfalz-Zeitung), and possessing "surpassing keyboard artistry and passion" (American Record Guide). She will perform two works – American in Paris, and Rhapsody in Blues.

Conductor Phi, HBSO Choir and Symphony Orchestra and soloists will perform the second part, which features excerpts from famous operas of Italian composers Mozart, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi.

Born in Ha Noi, Maestro Phi graduated from Ha Noi Conservatory of Music in 1986, majoring in piano and orchestra conducting. Later, in 1993, he graduated from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music.

In 2004, he was called the "Pride of Viet Nam" by VietnamNet e-news, which makes annual honour lists of Vietnamese living abroad making significant contributions to the country. — VNS