Mozart come to Opera House

One of Mozart's most beloved operas, Cosi fan Tutte, will be performed by the Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet at the Hau Noi Opera House on October 5 and 6.

Its libretto was written by Lorenzo da Ponte, who was also known for Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro.

The classical opera, composed in 1790, was said to be ahead of its time. It's theme is still relevant to modern audiences – a story of relationships, love, and being faithful and loyal to one's partners.

The opera was performed several times in Vienna but after Mozart's death, it was rarely staged anywhere throughout the 19th century.

Although the Viet Nam Opera has performed the opera before, the present production is a shortened version directed and conducted by British conductor Graham Sutcliffe.

It will be performed entirely by members of the opera in Italian, with Vietnamese and English subtitles.

Tickets are available at Ha Noi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi or can be booked at www.ticketvn.com.

UNESCO World Heritage funds to preserve princess temple

The restoration of the temple of Princess Dien Phuoc, eldest sister of King Tu Duc (the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty from 1847-83), will be funded by the UNESCO World Heritage Institute at Waseda University in Japan.

Located at 24 Kim Long Street in Hue City, the temple was built in the unique architectural style typical for garden houses in Hue.

The fund will provide VND2.2 billion (US$110,000) to restore the historic structure. The work is scheduled to be completed by November 2013.

Book released to mark birthday of respected teacher of old

A book entitled Chu Van An – Nguoi Thay Cua Muon Doi (Chu Van An – A Teacher of All Times) has been introduced in Ha Noi to commemorate the 720th birthday of Chu Van An (1292-1370).

The five-chapter book reveals new details about the life, teaching career and literary works of the great teacher in Vietnamese history. It also discusses the temples where he is worshipped.

Vietnamese receives prize in US-based photography contest

Tran Viet Van is the only Vietnamese photographer whose artwork was chosen for the eighth annual Art of Photography Show held Saturday at the San Diego Art Institute.

His abstract work Memory No 2 was one among 16 winning photos selected from almost 17,000 entries from 77 countries by Julian Cox, founding curator of Photography and Chief Curator at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.

The Art of Photography Show is an established and critical force in the world of contemporary photography. The exhibition will run until November 11.

VNN/VNS