Singing opera in Vietnamese is a fun and enjoyable experience.

Making their first visit to Vietnam, two Japanese opera artists surprised everyone by harmonizing in Vietnamese with local artists at the premiere of the opera "Princess Anio"—a special art project commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently held a press conference to introduce the opera "Princess Anio," based on the love story between a Vietnamese princess and a Japanese merchant, a tale passed down in both countries.

Nghệ sĩ Nhật Bản: Hát opera bằng tiếng Việt là một trải nghiệm thú vị nhiều niềm vui

Guests pose for a commemorative photo at the press conference on the afternoon of May 18th. (Photo: Le An)

Araki Sotaro was a Chinese merchant shipowner in the early 17th century who traveled from Nagasaki to Dang Trong (now central Vietnam). He met Princess Ngoc Hoa, a destined encounter, and the Nguyen lord agreed to marry her. Later, Araki Sotaro brought Princess Ngoc Hoa to live in Nagasaki.

Here, she was beloved by the people, who called her Anio San. Today, the procession welcoming Princess Anio is still reenacted in the "Shawn-in-the-Sea Boat" scene, held every seven years at the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival.

Sharing his thoughts on the performance at the press conference, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio, honorary advisor to the Project, emphasized: “This year, Japan and Vietnam are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. I believe that the foundation for the development of relations between the two countries is mutual understanding and empathy between people.”

Examples of such understanding and empathy can be found throughout history, spanning far more than 50 years, and one of the most prominent is the love story between the merchant Araki Sotaro and the princess Ngoc Hoa.

Ambassador Yamada Takio said that he recently had the opportunity to visit Nagasaki and personally see the tombs of merchant Araki and princess Anio side by side, which are preserved and worshipped to this day. Upon visiting, he felt that their story was the starting point for an equal partnership between the two countries.

The ambassador hopes the opera will become a landmark commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam, helping to further strengthen the bond between the people of the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism , stated that the two countries have been coordinating many rich and vibrant activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. Among these, the opera project "Princess Anio" is a culturally significant diplomatic event.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa believes: “The opera tells the love story between a Vietnamese princess and a Japanese merchant – a symbol of the ever-strengthening bond between our two countries. Through creative expression in culture, art, music, painting, and lyrical language, this joint theatrical work by artists from both countries is a celebration of the shared values of our two nations.”

Japanese and Vietnamese artists recreate the love story of merchant Araki Sotaro and princess Anio. (Photo: Le An)

Bringing together prominent opera production teams and artists from both countries, the opera "Princess Anio" will officially premiere at the Hanoi Opera House for three nights in September and is expected to tour several provinces and cities in Vietnam. With its meaningful messages, the opera will contribute to the development of music in both countries, as well as promote bilateral friendship.

Representing the project, Mr. Honna Tetsuji, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, shared: “We want to create a work that will be passed down through generations. Therefore, thorough research and investigation of historical evidence is extremely important. We have contacted and sought the expertise of historical consultants from both Vietnam and Japan to build the most accurate and authentic story possible.”

At the press conference, attendees had the opportunity to interact and enjoy the duet "The Star-Shining Boat ," taken from Act 2 of the play. Despite only rehearsing together one day before the press conference, artists Kobori Yusuke and Yamamoto Kohei (playing the merchant Araki Sotaro), and artists Dao To Loan and Bui Thi Trang (playing the princess Anio) surprised the audience with their harmony in the lyrics and emotion in their roles.

Answering a reporter's question from TG&VN newspaper about the challenge of singing opera in Vietnamese, the two artists Kobori Yusuke and Yamamoto Kohei said that it was an interesting experience filled with joy, and they always received enthusiastic support from Vietnamese artists.

Tenor Kobori Yusuke shared: “I’ve sung in other languages before, but I’ve never had the experience of performing or singing in Vietnamese. Learning Vietnamese is really difficult, but after some practice, I’ve discovered some interesting aspects of this language.”

For example, when speaking Vietnamese, I have to use facial expressions and change my mouth shape when pronouncing words, so I get to laugh a lot during training."

Vietnamese and Japanese artists performed and interacted at the press conference. (Photo: Le An)

Artists Dao To Loan and Bui Thi Trang also expressed their happiness and honor at participating in a musical that was meticulously prepared and professionally produced, with the cooperation of both countries.

Soprano Dao To Loan said: “Although we have only met and practiced with our fellow performers for a short time, we have already felt very close and admired the Japanese artists who have successfully learned to sing in Vietnamese. Perhaps it is the similarities in culture and music between the two countries that have created favorable conditions for us to find common ground.”

Source