The Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra (VNSO)'s new season will begin on Wednesday and Thursday with concerts featuring guest musician Stefan Schilli.

Stefan Schilli.

The concerts will start at 8pm at the Ha Noi Opera House. Schilli, a German oboist, will perform a solo during the piece Oboe Concerto, composed by Richard Strauss in 1945.

The night of music will begin with the overture Nguoi Ve Dem Toi Niem Vui (The Man Who Brings Happiness to Us) dedicated to late President Ho Chi Minh by composer Trong Bang. VNSO Music Director Tetsuji Honna will conduct musicians from the VNSO in two pieces, Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks - also by Richard Strauss. This is the first time Merry Pranks has ever been performed in Viet Nam.

Born in 1970, Schilli has recorded numerous albums, including one of Oboe Concerto. He has taught at Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria since 2004. He has also given guest lectures at music academies across the world. Schilli's success at the German Music Competition and Prague Spring kickstarted his international career as principle oboist.

Tours have recently taken Schilli to Asia, Russia and the US, but this will be his first visit to Viet Nam. He arrived in Ha Noi yesterday morning and will rehearse with the VNSO in preparation for the upcoming concerts.

Tickets are available at 1 Trang Tien, 20 Nui Truc and 8 Nha Chung streets. The prices range from VND200,000 to 500,000. 

VNS