'DÓ' – A CONTEMPORARY BALLET

• Director: Hương Na Trần
• Choreographers: NSƯT Phan Lương - Vũ Ngọc Khải
• Soloists: NSƯT Thu Hằng - Đức Hiếu - Hà Tứ Thiên
• Conductor: Đồng Quang Vinh
• Orchestra: Dó Orchestra
• Production Lead: Nguyễn Thành Trung
• Music Editor: Vũ Huy
• Lighting Technician: Phạm Trịnh Bảo Tân
• Sound Technician: Hoàng Việt
• Costume Designer: Đào Hồng Anh
• Graphic Designers: INCA Media

Wild Winds – Tying the Winds – The Winds Change Course

In 'Dó', time flows backwards, winter does not signal the end, rather the beginning of new contemplations, a constant dialogue between human and nature.

Amidst a winter landscape, nature enters a long sleep, the wild winds appear, blowing this way and that, unrestrained. 

The wild winds remember their wildness and freedom; whilst humans, faced with the majesty of nature, seek to tie the winds down, in a seemingly futile attempt to control and bend nature according to their will, yearning to hold on to its beauty, knowing that everything must pass.

But the winds do not allow possession, emanating from the air, and returning to the air.
 

Caressing Winds – Calling for the Winds

The charming autumn, behind its quiet and whispering outer appearance, belies a world of colors and emotions, of the sky the earth and all in between. 

From the perspective of the two choreographers of 'Dó', autumn is not simply the transition between summer and winter, but also a special time, of footsteps on the carpet of leaves and under a wide open sky, of goodbyes said as the trees change color, the soft chatters under the trees, the clouds drifting towards the end of the sky.

A fleeting, elusive beauty. What remains is but an image, a memory.
 

Against the Winds – Quietness – Gone with the Winds

Summer represents the brilliant years and the ups and downs of the flow of life, amidst storms and moments of calmness, of contemplation as much as disquiet. 

'Against the Wind' signifies the human strength, courage, and the efforts not to succumb to chaos and harshness. 

'Quietness' is a moment of stillness after the storm, the peace in the soul. A reminder that no matter how tumultuous life may get, serenity could still be found. 

'Gone with the Wind' is the liberation when letting one's soul follow the winds, discovering life’s kaleidoscopic wonders. 
 

Winds of the Season – Winds Sing – Drunk Winds – Spring Winds

The ballet 'Dó' ends at the starting point – spring, a surge of vitality, rebirth, leaving behind all thoughts and worries, to finally become one with nature and all things.

In the dance of spring, ethereal music flows through the streets and the budding trees. Humans are drunk with the emotions that a new season brings, seeing and feeling every moment anew.

Another year has come.
 

Meritorious Artist Phan Lương (b. 1985) has spent most of his life pursuing and developing himself in the field of dance. Starting his career at a very young age, he graduated from Vietnam Dance College (2004) and continued to study at prestigious schools such as Hong Kong Academy of Art, Alvin Ailey School (New York, USA), and Vietnam Military University of Culture and the Arts.

Meritorious Artist Phan Lương began performing professionally in 2005 at the Hong Kong Ballet, followed by the Expressions Dance Company (Australia), Skånes Dansteater (Sweden) as well as Anna Konjetzky Dance Company (Germany), and many other famous dance companies. He has worked and performed with many international directors and choreographers, and participated in dance festivals and arts festivals around the world.

Not only known as a dancer, Meritorious Artist Phan Lương has also taken on the role of choreographer in performances of famous dance pieces such as the musical 'Les Miserables', the ballet 'Ham Le Minh Chau', etc. He has also lectured at universities and colleges, sharing his knowledge and experience with the younger generation of dancers.

His achievements thus far include the title of Meritorious Artist (awarded in 2016), Gold Medal at the International Dance Festival (2009 & 2019), and many other prestigious awards and scholarships. In 2022, he was honored as Best Actor at the National Professional Dance Festival.

Currently, Meritorious Artist Phan Lương is the Head of the Dance Troupe at the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet. 

Contemporary choreographer and dancer Vũ Ngọc Khải (b. 1985) has left his special mark in the international dance community with a diverse career. Having studied and worked in countries around the world (the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, etc.) he is now based in Vietnam, practicing as an independent artist and director.

Vũ Ngọc Khải has collaborated with a multitude of world-renowned choreographers and artists, as well as participated in many important performances around the world. His work stands out for its bringing together of contemporary dance with traditional Vietnamese elements, creating a new and unique language of expression. The work 'Cai To' developed with sound artist Tri Minh and viola artist Tran Thi Ngoc Thuy exemplifies this creative mindset, exploring the potential in dynamics between dance and music.

He has received many international awards and scholarships, including First Prize at the Ayang Young Choreographer Competition in South Korea (2018); as well as prestigious recognitions via Vietnamese initiatives from Art Republik and Hanoi Grapevine.

Vũ Ngọc Khải has also attained international degrees and certificates in multiple fields related to dance and physical fitness. In 2021, he became director of Pilates Saigon in Vietnam; a year earlier, he had founded 1648kilomet, a non-profit organisation with the goal of bringing art and community activism closer to the public.

Vũ Ngọc Khải’s choreographic practices reflect insights and critical thinking surrounding culture and society, from 'Sky Incense' realised in South Korea, to 'Bottom of the Well' and 'Black Stone' performed in Vietnam. He also participates in teaching, sharing his techniques in many places around the world.

(Photo by Bettina Stoess)