Acclaimed Japanese conductor to lead Mozart concert

Internationally acclaimed conductor Honna Tetsuji will lead a concert featuring the music of Mozart at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House on June 8.
Internationally acclaimed conductor Honna Tetsuji will lead a concert featuring the music of Mozart at the HCM City Opera House on June 8. Photo courtesy of HBSO

Internationally acclaimed conductor Honna Tetsuji will lead a concert featuring the music of Mozart at the HCM City Opera House on June 8. Photo courtesy of HBSO

The concert will open with the Overture from the three-act opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio).

Mozart wrote the opera to a German libretto by Gottlieb Stephanie, based on Christoph Friedrich Bretzner's Belmont und Constanze, oder Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Belmonte and Konstanze, The Abduction from the Seraglio).

The play is about the attempt of hero Belmonte to rescue his beloved Konstanze from the seraglio (sequestered living quarters used by wives and concubines in an Ottoman household) of Pasha Selim.

It premiered in July 1782 at the Vienna Burgtheater, with the composer as the conductor.

The performance will feature the HCM City Opera Symphony Orchestra and Ballet’s (HBSO) symphony orchestra.

The night will continue with the three-movement Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra composed in 1779.

The work will be played by violinist Nguyen Cong Thang and violist Pham Vu Thien Bao.

Thang graduated from the Vietnam Academy of Music and later studied at the Hong Kong Music Academy.

He has performed with the Hong Kong Music Academy Orchestra in Austria, France, Italy, the UK and Thailand.

Bao holds a master's degree in viola performance from the Paris National Conservatory of Music.

He has worked with many renowned musicians and orchestras, and performed at many music festivals in France.

In 2015, Bao returned to Vietnam and launched his musical projects to develop classical music in the country.

The programme will include Symphony No. 35, which is also called the Haffner Symphony.

Mozart wrote the symphony in 1782 to mark the birthday of a member of the Haffners, a prominent family in Salzburg, Austria. It premiered in 1983 at the Vienna Burgtheater.

The four-movement work will be performed by HBSO.

Conductor Tetsuji studied at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and the London Sinfonietta, an English contemporary chamber orchestra.

He has won several top prizes at international competitions, including the Tokyo International Competition, Arturo Toscanini International Conductor Competition, and Budapest International Conductor Competition.

He has conducted numerous orchestras including La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra of Italy, the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra.

He was appointed music advisor and conductor of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) from 2001-2009, and as the orchestra's director from 2011.

He took the VNSO to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall in the US in 2011, the Teatro La Fenice Venice opera house, Capella Paolina chapel and Italian Presidential Palace in Italy in 2013, and the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and Grand Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic in Russia in 2014.

The concert will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Son square in District 1. Tickets are available at the venue.

VNS/VNA

Other News

Reasons why Phu Quoc shines even during rainy season

Reasons why Phu Quoc shines even during rainy season

Recently named by Expedia among the "10 Best Islands to Visit in 2026" for offering premium holidays at reasonable prices, Phu Quoc is far from being just a dry season destination. Even during the rainy months, Pearl Island offers enough experiences to fill every hour of the day, with short tropical showers rarely disrupting the journey.

Van Phuc silk weaving village officially recognised as Hanoi tourist destination

Van Phuc silk weaving village officially recognised as Hanoi tourist destination

With its millennia-old heritage and growing integration of preservation and innovation, Van Phuc silk weaving village is poised to become a distinctive cultural destination, helping promote Hanoi’s sustainable cultural tourism and bring the quintessence of Vietnamese silk weaving closer to domestic and international visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City: Free bus fares drive increase in bus, metro ridership

Ho Chi Minh City: Free bus fares drive increase in bus, metro ridership

According to Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Centre Le Hoan, the bus network operated nearly 478,000 trips in July, serving more than 8.48 million passengers. Weekly growth accelerated throughout the month, rising from 33% in the first week to 45% in the fourth week.

My Son inscriptions set sights on UNESCO documentary heritage status

My Son inscriptions set sights on UNESCO documentary heritage status

Located in Thu Bon commune, Da Nang city, My Son is renowned for its architectural heritage, but it also preserves an exceptional archive engraved on stone. These inscriptions have enabled scholars to unravel the history of the sanctuary and trace the rise and development of the ancient Champa kingdom over many centuries.

Hanoi brings new life to suburban tourism villages

Hanoi brings new life to suburban tourism villages

Hanoi has long been known for the heritage cachet of a thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and a network of craft villages have given the city a singular pull.

Resolution paves way for Vietnam to unleash soft power

Resolution paves way for Vietnam to unleash soft power

The implementation of Resolution No. 06 alongside the cultural diplomacy strategy sends a clear message: by combining its rich cultural heritage with proactive diplomacy, innovation and digital transformation, Vietnam would strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage.

Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 wrapped up

Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 wrapped up

Held from July 12 to 25 across eight cities and provinces, Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 offered a rich array of experiences. Participants explored historical landmarks, visited iconic cultural heritage sites such as the imperial city of Hue, Hoi An ancient town, and the My Son Sanctuary, and engaged in charitable activities valued at over 300 million VND (11,400 USD), including the installation of a "Youth Bookshelf."

Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 kicks off

Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 kicks off

The Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 features a rural market-themed culinary space at East Sea Park showcasing Quang region cuisine, a beachfront art route, a light kite night featuring around 500 illuminated kites, and a seaside light party combining visual arts, music and local cuisine.

Railways reinvent themselves with tourism, heritage trains

Railways reinvent themselves with tourism, heritage trains

One of the most notable successes is the premium Hoa Phuong Do (Flamboyant Flower) train operating between Hanoi and Hai Phong city. Since entering service in May 2025, the train has completed nearly 3,000 trips and carried around 1.33 million passengers.

Da Nang proves Lonely Planet right as Asia's must visit summer destination

Da Nang proves Lonely Planet right as Asia's must visit summer destination

According to Lonely Planet, Da Nang stands out for its harmonious blend of beautiful beaches, an energetic yet relaxed lifestyle, a rich culinary scene and a diverse range of experiences spanning nature, culture, leisure and entertainment. The city is also praised as an ideal gateway to central Vietnam, offering convenient access to Hoi An, Hue and My Son Sanctuary.

Vietnam invites travellers on multi-sensory journey

Vietnam invites travellers on multi-sensory journey

Vietnam's appeal lies not in a single attraction but in the seamless combination of authentic experiences rooted in local culture. From colourful highland markets and traditional festivals to centuries-old craft villages, all remain an integral part of everyday life.

Promoting souvenir industry to spread national image

Promoting souvenir industry to spread national image

Experts said that with market-oriented development, improved functionality, stronger storytelling and greater involvement from designers, businesses and market-connecting organisations, souvenirs could become a bridge linking Vietnam with the world while contributing to the growth of cultural industries and the creative economy.

Interactive sound exhibition breathes new life into cultural heritage

Interactive sound exhibition breathes new life into cultural heritage

One of the exhibition's highlights is the "Our Sound" installation, where visitors become part of the artwork itself. As multiple participants interact simultaneously, sound and light merge into a shared composition, conveying messages of connection, sharing and collective responsibility for building sustainable communities in harmony with nature.

Festival for Peace 2026 opens, featuring wide rage of activities

Festival for Peace 2026 opens, featuring wide rage of activities

Standing on the historic land of Quang Tri, alongside the Ben Hai River, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the national martyrs’ cemeteries, people are reminded of the true value of peace and the sacrifices made for national independence, freedom and reunification.