LookAtVietnam – One of Viet Nam’s most famous poems, Luc Van Tien, by the 19th century poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu, will be set to music by 200 performers

Singer Duc Tuan.

“I spent four years writing Luc Van Tien especially for a choir,” An said. “While I know that this style of music is not popular, it provides an opportunity to learn a new kind of singing.”

Based on the 2,080-line epic poem Luc Van Tien, An’s choral work includes 376 pages featuring folk music that originated in the southern provinces.

The choral Luc Van Tien includes four parts, featuring the love story of the poor but talented Luc Van Tien and the wealthy girl Kieu Nguyet Nga.

Although both live under the feudal system, they overcome hardships in their fight for love.

“In music, the beautiful minds and characteristics of southerners will be highlighted,” said An, who hopes his work will inspire audiences as it is based on one of the country’s most valued poetic works.

An invited 140 singers from the Suoi Viet Choir and the Thach Da Choir who will sing with support from a symphony orchestra of 35 instrumentalists and the band Mat Troi Moi (New Sun).

Pianist Minh Man, flutist Manh Hung and zitherists Nguyen Thu Thuy, Duong Huyen Ly and Dang Thi Thu Thanh will highlight the beauty of traditional music.

They will play under the baton of conductors Nguyen Bach and Hoang Anh.

For months, the artists have worked hard to prepare for their show.

The show’s director, Thanh Sam, said it was difficult for any skilled singer, including pop star Duc Tuan, to perform well with a choir in a concert based on a popular story like Luc Van Tien.

“Our artists have been practising their vocal and dance skills for hours a day. We hope they will find our strong and melodic voices and our powerful stage presence very appealing,” Sam said.

Luc Van Tien will open at 7.30pm next Tuesday in the Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, HCM City. For free tickets, visit the theatre’s box office.

The show will be broadcast live on Binh Duong Television’s BTV channel.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News