Dong Ho folk painting-based ballet to be staged in Hanoi

The ballet titled "Dong Ho", inspired by the famous Vietnamese folk painting will be performed on the evening of March 22 and 23, at the Hanoi Opera House, according to the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB).
The paintings "Dong Ho" are "drawn" with a flexible ballet dance. (Photo courtesy of VNOB)
The paintings "Dong Ho" are "drawn" with a flexible ballet dance. (Photo courtesy of VNOB)

This is the work following the success of the ballet entitled Ham Le Minh Chau, showing the My Chau-Trong Thuy love story from the reign of An Duong Vuong, which debuted in 2022.

On March 8, regarding the idea of bringing Dong Ho folk paintings to the ballet stage, the director of the VNOB Phan Manh Duc said, that with the principle of bringing academic art in general and ballet, in particular, closer to the public, the VNOB staged the "Dong Ho" ballet with the desire to connect and further renew the connection between traditional painting art and world classical ballet art.

The ballet will be directed and staged by overseas Vietnamese choreographer Nguyen Ngoc Anh.

In the "Dong Ho" ballet, choreographer Ngoc Anh will create and bless the Dong Ho painting line with a new soul, with each moving line, flexible and soft, elegant and noble, in the movement of ballet dancers in the background of the song "The New Four Seasons", by renown musician Max Richter.

Audiences will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a delicate and emotional art space, with the perfect combination of Dong Ho folk paintings, ballet, classical music and modern stage lighting.

The ballet features the leading dancers of the VNOB, including Outstanding Artist Mai Thi Nhu Quynh, Outstanding Artist Phan Luong, Outstanding Artist Bui Viet An and other artists, along with young talents Thu Hang and Duc Hieu.

The ballet has a minimalist costume and stage design, with the support of a system of modern imaging technology equipment, to bring unexpected visual effects to the audience.

Before the ballet performance, the VNOB held an exhibition of Dong Ho paintings, with the participation of artists of Dong Ho folk paintings, for the audience to enjoy, learn and experience the paintings.

NDO