American violinist plays 'Song of Hope'

American violinist Caroline Campbell plays "Song of Hope" by musician Van Ky, accompanying Dao To Loan's singing.

The performance was the final one, closing the August Symphony Concert, and was well received by the audience. Dao To Loan showed off her high, sweet voice.

During the rehearsal, violist Caroline Campbell said: "I don't understand your language, but when I listen to this melody, I somehow feel the beauty of your people." Caroline Campbell continuously praised Song of Hope in particular and Vietnamese music in general as gentle and soaring.

Violinist Caroline Campbell. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Dao To Loan said she chose a semi-classical song to help the audience relax after listening to an opera program with many climaxes. Initially, she planned to sing with American soprano Corinne Winters. "However, Vietnamese is too difficult for foreign artists to speak, and there is not much time to practice, so I sang solo," To Loan said.

Song of Hope is the masterpiece of musician Van Ky, composed in 1958, his message to the "beloved South" during the days of bombs and bullets.

In addition to her solo performance, To Loan also collaborated with tenor Oliver Johnston (UK) and soprano Corinne Winters (USA) in the song La Traviata. The three artists recreated the dramatic and romantic love story of a flower girl in Verdi's The Lady of the Camellias.

From left to right: Artists Corinne Winters, Dao To Loan, Oliver Johnston. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Before that, the artists performed more than 20 pieces from classical to modern. Caroline Campbell received a series of applause when she appeared in a sparkling red dress, showing off her curves. When she performed familiar movie songs such as My Heart Will Go On ( Titanic , Horner) or A Time for Us ( Romeo and Juliet, Macini), many audiences sang along softly.

In her solo performance, she played a mash-up of many familiar songs such as Toxic (Britney Spears), Yesterday (The Beatles). The artist delighted the audience by moving to the area near the audience seats, dancing and performing. Caroline Campbell was born in 1980, famous for her free-spirited and creative violin playing. Her violin has also appeared in many famous movies such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Spider-Man and The Lone Ranger.

In addition to the soloists, the Sun Symphony Orchestra scored with its rendition of classics under the baton of French conductor Olivier Ochanine. They recreated the heroic spirit of the bullfighters in March of the Toreadors ( Carmen by Georges Bizet). With Symphony No. 5 (Fate) , a work written by Beethoven in his final years, the musicians captivated the audience as they went through the range of emotions the composer wanted to convey, from pain, despair to optimism.

Conductor Olivier Ochanine of the Sun Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Artist Tran Ly Ly - Director of the Department of Performing Arts - commented that the performance was "classy, ​​bringing a wonderful artistic space". According to her, a classical orchestra usually has 40 people, but today, the number of artists was up to nearly 80 people, creating sound effects.

The program was organized by the Ministry of Public Security , on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ho Guom Theater. The venue is the first theater in Vietnam to be provided with international standard equipment. The large auditorium has a capacity of 900 guests and the small auditorium has a capacity of 500 guests. The sound system includes an Array speaker system and a Constellation speaker system, located in the wall and dome, designed in the shape of a rice leaf with small holes like a honeycomb, suitable for programs such as opera, ballet, musicals, and folk music.

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