When A Midsummer Night's Dream resounds in the ancient villa, classical music does not wait for the splendid lights

A series of familiar melodies echoed in the quiet space of the old French villa. Summer Dream, the dreams of a midsummer night have returned.

Summer Dream takes place inside an ancient French villa - Photo: YEN KHUONG

Summer Dream concert number 2 was held on the evening of July 13 at the newly restored ancient French villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao.

The program features artists Trinh Minh Hien, Bui Ha Mien, Tran Lan Huong, soprano Hien Nguyen, Paolo Scibilia, Svetlana Golubovska.

Music resonates in heritage

Inspired by Mendelssohn's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream , the Summer Dream concert is a journey to bring classical music closer to life.

Taking place inside a recently restored ancient French villa, Trinh Minh Hien - who created the entire repertoire - said "the return of classical music in a heritage space is not only an aesthetic choice but also a cultural act".

Artists want to bring academic art back to heritage spaces, opening up a lasting dialogue between tradition and modernity, between original beauty and contemporary human enjoyment.

Previously, the first Summer Dream took place at the exhibition hall of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, also one of the capital's heritages.

There is no lavish stage, no bright lights, and the music does not seek to overwhelm or be scholastic, but seeks a dialogue between artist and audience.

The event was like an intimate meeting between the artists and the audience. No barriers, no need for long introductions, people sat close together, in a small room, but warm enough for emotions to spread.

The so-called "distance" of classical music - often associated with the stage of the theater, the luxurious auditorium - suddenly becomes closer. From there, the artist quietly blends into the space, telling the musical story with his own inner experiences.

Artist Trinh Minh Hien and Paolo Scibilia - Photo: YEN KHUONG

Right place, right time, music sublimates itself

Amidst the mossy walls, old rosewood doors, soft light filtering through the French windows, a series of musical pieces resound.

From Nguoi Ha Noi arranged by Trinh Minh Hien, to Mat Biec played by Ha Mien; from Yesterday, O Sole Mio to the soundtrack of Cinema Paradiso , all are performed with a spirit that is both scholarly and approachable.

Cello Bui Ha Mien - Photo: YEN KHUONG

Pianist Paolo Scibilia - Photo: YEN KHUONG

The audience not only hears music, but also sees a sediment of memory, of identity and of emotion.

Listening to Hanoi People, I feel it is no longer a song, but becomes a soft symbol of urban memories, resounding with a soulful yet clear guitar sound.

Cinema Paradiso evokes childhood images, white screens and light from an old projector at the back of the theater.

With Love Air, the artist does not impose emotions but opens up spaces for each audience to find themselves.

Summer Dream wants to bring classical music to heritage spaces - Photo: YEN KHUONG

In Summer Dream , artists don't need to "renew" the classics by altering, cutting or popularizing them, simply putting them in the right place at the right time - the music itself will flourish.

It is music that does not need to be spoken aloud, where the listener becomes a companion with the artist in a wordless story.

SMILE PINE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khi-giac-mong-dem-he-vang-len-trong-biet-thu-co-am-nhac-co-dien-khong-cho-anh-den-long-lay-20250714065142278.htm