Versailles Royal Opera brings baroque masterpieces to Hanoi

The Royal Opera of Versailles opened its engagement in Vietnam's capital on October 29 with a carefully curated program that blended instrumental compositions with operatic arias and duets. The performance, staged at Hanoi's Ho Guom Opera House, was structured in four movements—Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter—each exploring seasonal themes through works by European baroque masters.

The evening featured compositions by Giovanni Antonio Guido, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Adolf Hasse and Riccardo Broschi. The program mixed purely instrumental passages with vocal performances, allowing the ensemble to demonstrate the versatility of baroque repertoire across different musical forms.

The concert represents a continuation of cultural exchange initiatives between France and Vietnam, bringing European operatic traditions to Southeast Asian audiences. The Royal Opera of Versailles' appearance in Hanoi follows similar performances across the region, as classical music continues to gain traction among Vietnamese concert-goers seeking exposure to international artistic traditions.

The visit underscores growing interest in baroque and classical works within Vietnam's performing arts scene, where international opera companies and orchestras have become regular fixtures at major venues in recent years.

Photo: The Ho Guom Opera House in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, October 2023. Newone via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).