The performance is part of the annual Hennessy Concert Series.

According to the organisers, Hennessy and the Vietnam Performing Arts Centre of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the concert will pay homage to the world-renowned opera La Bohème, an opera consisting of four acts composed by Giacomo Puccini for an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger.

The world premiere performance of La Bohème was held in Turin on February 1, 1896 at the Teatro Regio, conducted by the young Arturo Toscanini; its U.S. premiere took place the next year, 1897, in Los Angeles. Since then, La Bohème has become part of standard Italian opera repertoire and is one of the most frequently performed operas throughout the world.

For the performance in Hanoi, the opera will be directed by Matthew Barclay, a stage director, choreographer, movement director and arts manager. He is currently Senior Resident Director and Dance Supervisor at Opera Australia.

Organised for the first time in 1996, the annual Hennessy concert brings international classical music artists together in Vietnam, offering the public a chance to enjoy classical works by talented composers from all over the world.