The performances left a profound impression on audiences, showcasing the harmonious blend of Eastern and Western arts.
Titled "Le Dragon d'Or" (The Golden Dragon) and "Le Pêcheur au Fond de la Tasse à Thé" (The Fisherman in the Teacup), these distinctive musical dramas are the result of collaboration between French-Vietnamese playwright, poet, and director Olivier Dhénin Huu and talented composer Benjamin Attahir. Both pieces were performed at the Saigon Opera House and Ho Guom Theater in Hanoi in November 2023 as part of the events commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam.
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A scene from the play "Le Dragon d'Or" (The Golden Dragon) |
These compact musical works are based on two legends passed down through generations of Vietnamese culture. The new stage adaptations feature three lead singers and a children's choir, showcasing Vietnam's sacred symbols - the lion, dragon, phoenix, and turtle.
"The Golden Dragon" tells the tale of a Chinese man who comes to An Nam in search of a golden dragon at the bottom of a lake, believing that placing his father’s remains in the dragon's mouth will make him king. A young fisherman accepts this daunting task but swaps the remains, placing his own father's bones in the dragon's mouth instead of the Chinese man’s. This young fisherman ultimately becomes King Dinh Tien Hoang.
"The Fisherman in the Teacup" is a poignant story about Truong Chi, an unattractive fisherman blessed with an enchanting voice, particularly captivating to Princess My Nuong. However, when they meet, the princess is horrified by his appearance. Heartbroken, Truong Chi dies and transforms into a precious gem. When the gem is carved into a teacup and presented to the princess, the image of the fisherman appears along with his sweet song. Overcome with emotion and regret, My Nuong tears up into the teacup, causing it to shatter and freeing Truong Chi's spirit.
These works not only merge opera and drama but also represent a cultural meeting point between East and West. Olivier Dhénin Huu drew inspiration from traditional Vietnamese theater, particularly “cai luong” and “hat boi,” while also referencing Eastern theatrical movements that influenced Western masters such as Edward Gordon Craig, Antonin Artaud, and Bertolt Brecht.
While "The Golden Dragon" and "The Fisherman in the Teacup" serve as cultural bridges through fairy tales, the play "Partition Vietnamienne" (Vietnamese Mosaic) delves into the historical context of the nation's division, exploring fragmented memories, culture, and identity—especially for Vietnamese expatriates and their descendants.
Source: VNA