The opera is scripted by choreographer Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh and directed by People’s Artist and director of the theatre Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Hien.
‘The Helmsman’ is divided into three parts, named ‘Homeland’, ‘The call from the motherland’, and ‘The fated ship.’ It chronicles the life of President Ho Chi Minh from his childhood to adulthood when he realised his desire for national liberation, his journey to seek out ways to save the country from the yoke of colonialism, and then his return home to lead the country’s revolution to success.
Speaking at a press conference held in Hanoi on April 12 to introduce the opera to the public, choreographer Tuyet Minh said that this is the first time the image of President Ho Chi Minh has been featured through the language of music.
She revealed that ‘The Helmsman’ is the combination of symphony, choir, traditional theatre, and contemporary folk dance.
The first showing of the opera will be staged at the Hanoi Opera House on April 24 with the participation of more than 100 performing artists.
