Saigon Classical x From Alpha to Opera
supported by Paper & I

introduce
Special ballet screening:
LA DAME AUX CAMÉLIAS, choreographed by John Neumeier, with music by Frédéric Chopin

In the project: From Alpha to Opera – introducing famous operas with Vietnamese and English subtitles.

LOCATION: The Lighthouse, 1st floor, Paper & I | 152 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, Sài Gòn Ward, HCMC
TIME: 6:30PM - 9:30PM – Friday, 22nd May 2026 (Door open from 5:45PM)
ONLINE REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/balletscreening
FREE ENTRY (We encourage audience purchase consumptions on-site)

ALL proceeds from donations will be used to cover preparation expenses, relevant materials and equipment for the programme, working fee for the speaker AND support of VĨNH-LẠC Podcast series. Additionally, the proceeds from donation will help the project upgrade curation quality with unique contents in the upcoming operating schedule.

Your generous donation is the best support for us at From Alpha to Opera and Saigon Classical Music Group to keep our activities bigger and better. Once again, your support is highly appreciated.

Marguerite Gautier – called the Lady of the Camellias – is one of the most famous female protagonists in world literature. Dumas based his character on real life courtesan Marie Duplessis (1824 – 1847), whose charm, intelligence, discretion and beauty made her one of the most sought after courtesans of her time. Dumas’ novel traces her tragic story, focusing on her love affair with Armand Duval, a young man from a good family.

After a visit from Armand's father, Marguerite sacrifices her one true love for the benefit of Armand's reputation and his future. Soon afterward she dies of tuberculosis at the age of 23, alone and impoverished.

As he arrives in Paris for the first time, the young and naïve Armand is utterly captivated after meeting the ravishing and most desirable courtesan Marguerite Gautier. Their encounter gives birth to a passionate yet doomed love…

Neumeier created the three-act work for Marcia Haydée and the Stuttgart Ballet in the fall of 1978, based on Alexandre Dumas, fils' famous 19th century novel. Since then it has entered the repertory of many other companies including the Bolshoi Ballet, the Ballet of the Paris Opera and American Ballet Theatre.

She burns with life, attracted by the sparkle of diamonds and the glitter of the balls where Paris’ golden youth whirls and swirls. What is this woman’s name? Marguerite Gautier, the courtesan described by Alexandre Dumas fils in LA DAME AUX CAMÉLIAS? Or Manon Lescaut, the Abbé Prévost’s heroine?

For choreographer John Neumeier, these two characters are so similar that he intertwines their destinies by introducing a ballet about Manon into his LA DAME AUX CAMÉLIAS. Thanks to this link, he adds a new dimension allowing us to delve deeper into the psychology of the lovers Marguerite and Armand.

To the music of Chopin, intimately interwowen with memories, dreams and reality, the wealth of colours, costumes and ribbons responds to the flood of emotions that overwhelm the characters.

These emotions are shared by the audience, won over by the virtuosity and romanticism of this ballet which entered the Paris Opera repertoire in 2006.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrZA8e9X-0Q

We own no copyright to footage of this performance and subsequent materials. All copyrights belong to Opéra National de Paris. The translation and localisation of materials (including programme notes, printed handouts and subtitles) into Vietnamese are performed by volunteers with the sole purpose of promoting classical music and increasing awareness of high standard quality worldwide operatic performances. We endeavour to credit appropriate creators of these materials and organisations involved. The screening is non-commercial and non-profit. If copyright holders wish to withhold, kindly contact us with valid reasons.