The Wonder of Ballet – Vietnamese Style
I was at the Opera House to see a performance by the acclaimed Vietnamese Ballet Company ‘Arabesque’ that perform and create a different dance activity each month. Their dance movements are a mix of both classical and modern ballet but they have formed a unique Vietnamese style to represent their own culture.
The audience were able to appreciate the mood of the show ‘Suong som’ (The Mist) prior to entering the auditorium. Displays of traditional village tools used by farm workers and peasants were displayed in the foyer. The tools were covered in rice and evoked the atmosphere of village life and the importance of rice in the well-being of the whole. As well as these visual delights the mood was enhanced by the call of frogs and crickets, cocks calling out as the sun rose and traditional string music played by a specialist teacher from the HCMC Conservatory of Music. The audience were also called on to participate with the bamboo clapping sticks that had been handed out to everyone on entry.
The program was broken in to seven scenes suggesting different impressions and moods of life in a village but always the importance of the rice harvest was at the centre. I was overwhelmed by the simplicity of the scenery, the costumes and the dynamic body language and skill of the dancers. The lighting and special effects, such as the mist rising, the wonderful colours of the silks and the dancers clothing.
Each scene had been arranged to carry the audience into the story which the dancers were unfolding. The visual and auditory senses were heightened as they took in the beauty of the movement and music and the sound of traditional song. The dancers touched the soul with their mix of passion, emotion and drama.
If you are interested in Vietnamese culture, dance and music the performances by the ‘Arabesque’ dance group should be on your agenda. I cannot praise the performance highly enough. The team of young dancers was enthusiastic and so talented I cannot wait to see their next performance.
Arabesque will next be performing at the HCMC Opera House on 21 and 22 August with their Dance Show ‘Story of the Shoes’.
http://arabesque.com.vn/portfolio-item/show/
I was at the Opera House to see a performance by the acclaimed Vietnamese Ballet Company ‘Arabesque’ that perform and create a different dance activity each month. Their dance movements are a mix of both classical and modern ballet but they have formed a unique Vietnamese style to represent their own culture.
The audience were able to appreciate the mood of the show ‘Suong som’ (The Mist) prior to entering the auditorium. Displays of traditional village tools used by farm workers and peasants were displayed in the foyer. The tools were covered in rice and evoked the atmosphere of village life and the importance of rice in the well-being of the whole. As well as these visual delights the mood was enhanced by the call of frogs and crickets, cocks calling out as the sun rose and traditional string music played by a specialist teacher from the HCMC Conservatory of Music. The audience were also called on to participate with the bamboo clapping sticks that had been handed out to everyone on entry.
The program was broken in to seven scenes suggesting different impressions and moods of life in a village but always the importance of the rice harvest was at the centre. I was overwhelmed by the simplicity of the scenery, the costumes and the dynamic body language and skill of the dancers. The lighting and special effects, such as the mist rising, the wonderful colours of the silks and the dancers clothing.
Each scene had been arranged to carry the audience into the story which the dancers were unfolding. The visual and auditory senses were heightened as they took in the beauty of the movement and music and the sound of traditional song. The dancers touched the soul with their mix of passion, emotion and drama.
If you are interested in Vietnamese culture, dance and music the performances by the ‘Arabesque’ dance group should be on your agenda. I cannot praise the performance highly enough. The team of young dancers was enthusiastic and so talented I cannot wait to see their next performance.
Arabesque will next be performing at the HCMC Opera House on 21 and 22 August with their Dance Show ‘Story of the Shoes’.
http://arabesque.com.vn/portfolio-item/show/