When Hanoi Opera House tells stories with light and sound

On November 5, Hanoi Opera House in collaboration with Hexogon Vietnam Company organized a press conference about the project named "115 years of Storytelling Theatre - Heritage speaks with light and technology". This is a special art project on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of the inauguration of Hanoi Opera House, an architectural work bearing a strong historical mark and a cultural symbol of the Capital.

Attending the event were delegates: Director of the Department of Performing Arts, People's Artist Xuan Bac; Director of the Center for Digital Transformation of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Editorial Board of the Electronic Information Portal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thi Hoang Lan; Director of the Hanoi Opera House Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet;... and representatives of relevant units.

Delegates attending the event

For the first time in history, the Hanoi Opera House temporarily closed its daily performance doors to become its own "stage". The entire space, from the lobby, stairs, auditorium to the dome, was "awakened" by light, images and sounds, recreating memories of more than a century of architectural heritage.

Sharing about the project, Deputy Director of Hanoi Opera House Chu Anh Hung said: Hanoi Opera House is a masterpiece or a musical cathedral for over 100 years. The Opera House has had many projects on music shows, but this is the first project on 3D mapping light show in the Opera House.

Director of the Department of Performing Arts, People's Artist Xuan Bac shared at the event

"I have been thinking about this project for more than a year. The project was organized at the right time when the Opera House was about to enter the restoration phase, as an emotional tribute and farewell. Not only is it an artistic event, it is also an effort to connect history - art - technology, transforming the Opera House from a "heritage to admire" to a "vibrant space to experience". The event will have a unique experience, that is, when coming to the Opera House, the audience will not sit in chairs to enjoy music like before, but will go through layers of corridors and stairs to listen to stories about the 115-year history of the Hanoi Opera House" - said Mr. Chu Anh Hung.

As a partner of the project, Director of Hexogon Vietnam Company Ngo Xuan Minh expressed: "We are very happy and proud to have the opportunity to accompany a national cultural symbol, thereby affirming our social responsibility in creating sustainable values. The project aims at a long-term vision to become an annual series of art experiences of the Capital, contributing to promoting the image of a creative, friendly and richly-identified Vietnam to the world. "115 years of Storytelling Theater - Heritage speaks with light and technology" is not commercial but is created with the desire to bring art closer to the public. In each frame of light, each melody of sound, people can find a part of their memories of the Capital".

Deputy Director of Hanoi Opera House Chu Anh Hung shares about the project

Highly appreciating the project "115 years of Storytelling Theatre - Heritage of Speech by Light and Technology" of the Hanoi Opera House, Director of the Department of Performing Arts, People's Artist Xuan Bac emphasized: "Performing at the Hanoi Opera House is a burning desire of many generations of artists and art students. I still remember clearly in 1998, I performed here, when I stepped into the Theatre, I felt that all the artists had the same mood that they needed to try their best to make their performance worthy of a cultural work like this.

Hanoi Opera House is not only a performance venue but also a cultural work, a historical witness, a place where architectural and artistic quintessence converges. Through that, I believe that the project "115 years of Storytelling Theatre - Heritage speaks with light and technology" will be very attractive and attract a large audience. And I will certainly be one of the first audiences with my family members to come and see it."

Director of Hexogon Vietnam Company Ngo Xuan Minh shared at the event

The project "115 years of Storytelling Theatre - Heritage spoken with light and technology" uses advanced performance technologies such as 3D mapping, hologram, augmented reality (AR) and multi-layer storytelling art, the program brings the public an immersive experience - where the boundary between the audience and the performance space is blurred.

Viewers not only observe but also immerse themselves in the flow of the story, interact with space and light, and feel history in the language of the digital age. This is an important step in applying technology to preserve and promote heritage, contributing to affirming the position of Hanoi - a Creative City recognized by UNESCO, where classical values ​​are revived by contemporary art.

Journalists and reporters shared at the event

The program consists of 4 chapters, telling the 115-year journey of the Hanoi Opera House - connecting the past, present and future. Chapter 1 "Opening Night 1911", the audience uses AR tickets to "step through the door of time", returning to the moment of the inauguration of the Opera House more than a century ago. The main hall space is covered with 3D mapping images recreating the construction process of the building, where each brick and dome becomes a witness to the creative spirit of Hanoi in the early 20th century.

Chapter 2 "Hanoi in the heart of the Opera House", the entire architecture is transformed into a "window of time" through 360° mapping technology, opening up layers of memories of Hanoi - from the colonial period, the war years to the moment of the August Revolution in 1945. Exhibition, display and lighting elements are combined to honor every original detail, helping the audience feel the "soul" of the heritage.

Chapter 3 "115 Years of Hanoi Theatre" is a tribute to art and generations of artists associated with the Theatre. Operas, dramas, reformed operas, music and dances... are recreated using lighting technology, helping the audience relive the old stage space. In particular, the image of August 19, 1945 at the August Revolution Square is recreated as a symbol of the fusion of art and history.

Event scene

Chapter 4, “The Heart of Art”, concludes with a symphony of light and architecture, as 3D mapping technology transforms the Opera House through styles – from classical to futuristic, as a symbol of Hanoi’s endless creative spirit. Audiences will be able to admire the main auditorium aglow, where light, sound and architecture tell a new story.

The project will be implemented from November 22 to December 31, this is a gift of gratitude to the past and a greeting to the future. In the heart of Hanoi, the heritage of more than a century will "speak" in the language of light - a language without borders, telling the story of the journey of art, people and the creative city called Hanoi../.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khi-nha-hat-lon-ha-noi-ke-chuyen-bang-anh-sang-va-am-thanh-20251105143009992.htm