The cultural event is aimed at celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France in 2023.

French pianist Maxime Zecchini. Photo: Institut Français de Hanoi

The night of music in Hanoi will start at 8 pm on September 22 at the Alexandre Yersin French International School in Long Bien District.

For the first time in Vietnam, French and Vietnamese artists will perform various orchestral music works with emotional and masterful techniques.

The music night will start with the masterpiece "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" from the opera "Samson and Delilah" (1877), the most famous work among Camille Saint-Saëns' 13 operas.

This will be followed by a trio of classic solo piano works by French composer Claude Debussy, including "Clair de lune" (1905), "La fille aux cheveux de lin" and "La sérénade interrompue" from the 5th Symphony (1910).

These pieces of music are expected to bring strong emotions to the audience, contrasting the romantic music of Saint-Saëns and the characteristic modernity of Debussy.

In particular, Maurice Ravel's "Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major" (1930) will be performed for the first time in Vietnam.

Finally, the trilogy of works by the legendary French singer - Édith Piaf: "L'Hymne à l'amour" (1950), "Je ne regrette rien" (1956) and "La vie en rose" (1947), transcribed for solo piano by Maxime Zecchini himself, will also be performed for the first time in Vietnam.

Vietnamese violinist Chuong Vu. Photo: Institut Français de Hanoi

The second part of the classical music evening begins with the "Spring Prayer Fantasia" (2023) by Vietnamese musician Chuong Vu.

Praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Yehudi Wyner for his "exquisite playing," violinist Chuong Vu has performed as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber music collaborator in North and South America, Europe, and Asia, with repertoire ranging from early Baroque to modern music.

According to the local press, Chuong Vu is an instrumentalist to be treasured. Not only does he play with exquisite tone and superb technical virtuosity, but he clearly loves the music and loves to play it.

A regular soloist with all major Vietnamese orchestras, Chuong has appeared as a guest soloist with orchestras in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Slovakia, and Taiwan, performing a wide range of concerto repertoire and popular works for violin and orchestra.

The evening of classical music will conclude with a piano and violin concerto performed by Maxime Zecchini and Chuong Vu, who will bring the audience the dramatic and poignant melodies of Fantaisie sur Carmen, op. 25 (Carmen Fantasy) by Pablo de Sarasate for violin and piano, inspired by Bizet's classic opera Carmen.