For the first time, audiences in Hanoi will have the opportunity to enjoy a special musical performance - Le Petit Prince - on June 23 and 24 at the Hanoi Opera House.

The press conference on Le Petit Prince musical performance took place on June 20 in Hanoi. Photo: French Embassy in Vietnam

The cultural event celebrates the 50th anniversary of French-Vietnamese diplomatic relations and the 80th anniversary of the publication of the book "The Petit Prince" by the famous French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Against the backdrop of melodious music performed by artists from the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, actor Hua Thanh Tu will tell the story of the Little Prince, with the screen showing 200 illustrations by artist Joann Sfar.

According to French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery, the show, composed by French composer Marc-Olivier Dupin, promises to give this legendary work a modern nuance and fresh energy, while fully conveying the spirit of the book's author Saint-Exupéry.

"'Le Petit Prince' is a unique, compact yet philosophical narrative that gracefully addresses the great questions of human life, such as love, death and destiny," he said.

Composer Marc-Olivier Dupin said he was excited to present his work to local and international audiences in Hanoi.

"The musical play is a wonderful combination of three essential art forms: music, dialogue and painting. The illustrations shown on the big screen are not static like a slide show or too vivid like movies. They are a combination of the two," he shared at the press conference in Hanoi on June 20.

An illustration of Le Petit Prince musicial performance by French artist artist Joann Sfar

In the first part of the program, the talented Vietnamese artist Bui Cong Duy will perform the folk song "Se chi luon kim" or "Threading a Needle" under the direction of conductor Tetsuji Honna. The famous Vietnamese folksong was remixed by Tran Manh Hung.

The program also features two classical works by two French composers, including the "Introduction et Rondo capriccioso" in A minor, op. 28 by Camille Saint-Saëns and the "Contemplation" excerpt from Jules Massenet's opera Thaïs.

The highlight of the program is the 55-minute musical performance Le Petit Prince, which will be performed in the second half of the program.

The story follows a young prince who visits various planets, including Earth, and explores themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Despite its children's style, The Little Prince makes observations about life, adults, and human nature.

The Little Prince became Saint-Exupéry's most successful work, selling an estimated 140 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books in history. The book has been translated into 542 different languages and dialects worldwide, making it the second most translated work ever published, trailing only the Bible.

It has been adapted into numerous art forms and media, including audio recordings, radio drama, live stage, film, television, ballet, and opera.

The poster of the musical performance