VietNamNet Bridge – Coppelia, one of the greatest comic ballets of the 19th century and one of the best-loved classical works in the ballet repertory, will be staged by HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) under the music of French composer Leo Delibes at the HCMC Opera House at 8 p.m. on August 28 and 29.

HBSO dancers in a ballet choreographed by Johanne Jakhelln Constant at HBSO Opera House - Photo: Courtesy of HBSO

The ballet is conducted by Norwegian choreographer Johanne Jakhelln Constant, who made huge success for HBSO’s productions - Nutcracker and Cinderella ballets, with assistance of Vietnamese artists Phan Thi Hong Chau and Tran Hoang. The event is co-organized by HBSO in cooperation with the Transposition Program of Norway.

Composer Nguyen Manh Duy Linh will be the stage manager while choreographer Nguyen Phuc Hai will be the lighting designer.

Originally choreographed by Arthur St. Leon in 1870, restaged by Petipa in 1884, and revised by Cecchetti in 1894, the ballet has been performed regularly ever since. None of St. Leon’s original choreography remains in on August 21’s productions, and although Acts I and II have retained his ideas and story, the nature of some of the roles has changed.

The music of Coppelia links two great historical periods of ballet — the French Romantic style and the Russian Classical style.

Constant has choreographed more than 40 ballets in her spell with the Artistic Director of Ballet Quad Cities in the U.S. from 1997-2006. She was given three choreography awards for her original works Chairished and Flickering Blue. She currently teaches classical ballet and dance history in the Department of Music, Dance and Drama at the Bodo High School.

Tickets, priced at VND650,000, VND550,000 and VND400,000 per person, are available at the Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square in HCMC’s District 1.  Students just pay VND150,000 for admission. For ticket booking and delivery, call 08 3823 7419, Ms Huong on 0989 874 517, Mr Luan on 0903 041 959, web: www.ticketbox.vn.

SGT/VNN