Trailer for 'Tosca' in Vietnam. Video: Vietnam National Opera and Ballet

The Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) is set to premiere the complete opera 'Tosca' at Ho Guom Theater in Hanoi on 26 and 27/9. This marks the first time the masterpiece will be fully staged in Vietnam. The production is a collaboration between VNOB and director Jeong Ae Ree, creative director of New Opera Singapore. Conducted by Dong Quang Vinh, the performance features artists such as: Dao To Loan, Huong Diep, Thanh Binh, Truong Linh, Khac Hoa, along with the VNOB ensemble, Hanoi Voices International Choir, and a children's choir.

Jeong Ae Ree, trained in European classical music, has extensive experience as an opera singer, lecturer, and director. She emphasized her focus on portraying the most authentic emotional journey of Tosca and Cavaradossi. "I hope the work offers a deeply moving experience, celebrating the enduring strength of the human heart," she stated.

Director Jeong Ae Ree. Photo: Vietnam National Opera and Ballet

The opera unfolds as a continuous narrative rather than distinct scenes, drawing the audience into a confrontation between love and power. It explores the deepest human instincts, guiding viewers through psychological conflicts from passionate love, courage, and loyalty between Tosca and Cavaradossi, to the dark aspects of jealousy and desire from Scarpia.

Phan Manh Duc, director of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, acknowledged that bringing 'Tosca' to the Vietnamese stage for the first time presents a significant challenge for the company, both in vocal technique and production scale. Despite this, VNOB aims to introduce classic international artistic productions to domestic audiences, having meticulously prepared for the two-night run.

Dao To Loan, one of two artists portraying Floria Tosca, alongside singer Huong Diep. Photo: Vietnam National Opera and Ballet

'Tosca' is a three-act opera by composer Giacomo Puccini, with a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on the play 'La Tosca' by French playwright Victorien Sardou. It premiered in 1900 at the Teatro Costanzi (now the Rome Opera House) in Italy. Having captivated audiences on major world stages for over a century, 'Tosca' is widely regarded as one of opera's most exceptional and dramatic masterpieces.

The work revolves around three main characters: the singer Floria Tosca, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, and police chief Baron Scarpia. Scarpia, long infatuated with Tosca, seizes an opportunity to achieve two goals when he suspects Cavaradossi of aiding a political prisoner's escape. Puccini masterfully uses music to convey the tragedy and denounce the darker aspects of war within the opera. Notable arias include 'Vissi d'arte' (Tosca's bitter self-questioning) and 'E lucevan le stelle' (Cavaradossi's profound farewell song).

Phuong Linh