Launching the Musical project “Princess Anio”: Spreading the story of more than 400 years of friendship between Vietnam and Japan

Poster of the Musical project “Princess Anio”. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The event was attended by Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki, representatives of local leaders and production crew from Japan, along with many artists and guests in the field of performing arts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ito Naoki said, “Princess Anio” is a symbolic story about the friendly exchange between Vietnam and Japan, formed from the connection between Hoi An and Nagasaki during the Red Seal ship trade period in the 17th century.

The Ambassador pointed out that this story has become a part of Japanese culture, reenacted every seven years at the traditional Nagasaki Kunchi festival; the most recent was in 2023 and the next is scheduled for 2030.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki speaks. (Photo: Brain)

The Ambassador emphasized that the launch of the Musical version is an important follow-up to the success of the opera premiering in 2023 in both Vietnam and Japan, with the first performance at the Hanoi Opera House attended by Crown Prince Akishino and the Princess.

“We hope that 'Princess Anio' will continue to be told through many generations of Vietnamese and Japanese people, becoming a bridge to help the relationship between the two countries become more and more deeply connected,” the Ambassador shared.

At the event, Ambassador Ito Naoki congratulated young artist Do Phan Gia Han - who was chosen to play Princess Anio after the selection round in Vietnam.

He said Gia Han's performance of the song "Nostalgic Night Listening to the Sound of the Monochord" at the event was considered her first public appearance, before she goes to Japan next spring to practice with the crew.

Young artist Do Phan Gia Han - who was chosen to play Princess Anio - performed the song "Nostalgic Night Listening to the Sound of the Monochord" at the ceremony. (Photo: Embassy of Japan in Vietnam)

Project representative, Mr. Furukawa Naomasa emphasized that the highlight of “Princess Anio” lies in its historical value and cultural depth expressed through the story of friendship, equality in trade and the bond between the people of the two countries from more than 400 years ago. He said the project hopes to continue spreading the spirit of connection between Vietnam and Japan through modern theatrical art.

General director, acting director and scriptwriter Ohyama Daisuke said that the crew is working hard to complete the Musical with the hope that the new work and the previous opera will become “unique twins”, making the audience, when watching one version, want to explore the other version.

“When producing the opera in 2023, the journey of cooperation itself became a symbol of cultural exchange. We wanted to introduce that love story to as many audiences as possible with the message: Despite differences, people can still come together and live together,” he shared.

Delegates and production crew at the ceremony. (Photo: Brain)

According to information from the Project Management Board, the Musical “Princess Anio” is expected to have 20 performances at the KAAT Kanagawa Art Theater (Japan) from September 11 to 28, 2026, with tickets expected to go on sale in May 2026. Along with Japanese artists such as Tashiro Mario, Onoda Ryunosuke and Oto Kurisu, the character of Princess Anio will be played by Do Phan Gia Han (double cast).

The story “Princess Anio” - the Japanese name of Princess Ngoc Hoa - tells the story of the meeting and love affair between a princess from Dang Trong and Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro, a symbol of cultural exchange, trade and humanity between the two peoples from the early 17th century.

Adapted into an opera and now a musical, the work is expected to continue spreading humanistic and sustainable values in the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

TRUNG HUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khoi-dong-du-an-musical-cong-nu-anio-lan-toa-cau-chuyen-huu-nghi-hon-400-nam-viet-nam-nhat-ban-post923273.html