A special musical performance titled “The Little Prince” - a musical story by French composer and conductor Marc-Olivier Dupin - will take place on June 23-24.
This is the occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of France-Vietnam diplomatic relations and also the 80th anniversary of the publication of the book The Little Prince by famous French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The program is performed by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. Actor Hua Thanh Tu will be the narrator in French (with Vietnamese subtitles) while the screen will display paintings by Joann Sfar. Joann Sfar's projected illustrations give this legendary work "a modern nuance and a fresh energy", while fully conveying the spirit of author Saint-Exupéry to the audience.
Delegates attending the press conference on June 20
French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said the program not only brings a modern touch and fresh energy to this legendary work, but also fully conveys the spirit of author Saint-Exupéry to the audience.
From the saying of Thomas De Koninck, “Human beings always question themselves about the meaning of life and all related aspects. But perhaps the most miraculous thing is that children themselves have the ability to touch the deepest problems of human life.” The French Ambassador said, The Little Prince is a unique, concise but philosophical story, gracefully addressing the big questions about life such as love, death and destiny…
Under the baton of conductor and French composer Marc-Olivier Dupin, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra will perform a musical work composed by him. Marc-Olivier Dupin's The Little Prince is a "liberal and poetic" symphony, "a subtle parallel to Saint-Exupéry's famous work". Through the narration of Hua Thanh Tu and the expressive images of Joann Sfar, the symphony invites us to contemplate the sad poem of human life and awaken the sleeping childhood in each person's soul.
In the first part of the performance, the violin of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and the talented artist Bui Cong Duy under the guidance of conductor Tetsuji Honna will take us to explore the work "Se thu thong kim". This is a famous Vietnamese folk song arranged by composer Tran Manh Hung with two classic works by two famous French composers: L'Introduction et Rondo capriccioso in A minor by Camille Saint-Saëns and "Khuc thuc" from the opera Thaïs by Jules Massenet.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince" is the world's best-selling work of literature and the most translated book after the Bible and the Quran. It has been translated into more than 542 languages and dialects worldwide. "The Little Prince" has been adapted into many art forms and media, including recordings, radio, live performances, films, television, ballet, and opera.
