"Carmen" is one of the most successful productions of the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera’s (HBSO) ballet division, and it is being given two new performances at the Saigon Opera House, No. 7 Lam Son Square this weekend.

Georges Bizet wrote Carmen in 1875, but as an opera. Then in 1967, the Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonzo created a ballet suite based in part on Bizet’s music, but more specifically on music by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin. 

In HBSO’s excellent production, the iconic image of a bull’s head stares down from a red background and acts as an overseer of the show. The line of motionless costumed figures that are featured several times is both surprising and effective. 

Nguyen Thu Trang is considered the perfect fit for the role of Carmen with her charm and admirable personality. Ho Phi Diep will play Don Jose, Nguyen Luong Hoa will be the toreador Escamillo, and Thach Hieu Lang will act as Fate, a figure covered entirely in black who intermingles with the human characters without them entirely noticing. 

The atmosphere throughout is tense while remaining tautly lyrical, and the result is utterly mesmerizing. The staging is by People’s Artist, Kim Quy. 

The first two ballets, performed before the intermission, are “Falling Angels” and “Dépaysement”. 

“Falling Angels” is a very short piece about the challenges of being gay. Choreographed by Nguyen Phuc Hung, it will be performed by Do Hoang Khang Ninh and Sung A. Lung (who is partly responsible for the work’s inception). 

“Depaysement” (which means ‘disorientation’ in French) was choreographed by Julien Guerin to music by Chopin, Satie, Faure, Beethoven, and Albinoni. 

Ticket prices are from VND300,000 to VND650,000, with a special price for students of VND80,000 with a valid student ID. 

Booking and delivery: 028 38237419, Ms. Ngoc: 0903604539

At HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square

Online Booking: www.ticketbox.vn

Thanh Van