Hanoi, February 21st, 2017 - Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with The Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, today announced the Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert 2017, an historic outdoor concert by the world-famous London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) which will take place in Hanoi on 4 March. The performance by the LSO will be the first ever by a British orchestra in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Airlines Classic is an annual event held by Vietnam Airlines to bring world-class cultural and artistic works to local audiences, as well as promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and other parts of the world. The event will serve as a cultural bridge connecting Vietnam, and its capital Hanoi, to the world - not only in terms of tourism, but also as a country, and city, of rich cultural traditions and identity.  

Many well-known classical musicians, choirs, symphony orchestras and Ballet troupes have been invited to perform in previous years, with the event becoming ever more popular among public art lovers. This year, in partnership with the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, the “Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert 2017” will see the world-renowned LSO performing in the unique cultural setting of Hanoi’s Old Quarter – the first time ever that a British orchestra has performed in Vietnam.

Taking place at the Ly Thai To Statue and Garden in Hanoi’s famous Hoan Kiem District, from 7.45pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 4 March 2017, the concert will also showcase the beauty of Vietnam; its people; and its thousand-year old capital Hanoi - a city of peace, and a world-class destination for international cultural events.

Featuring 95 talented artists from all over the world, led by one of the world’s finest conductors, Elim Chan, the prestigious LSO will bring a performance filled with musical virtuosity and enthusiasm. The event will also be brought to an even larger audience via three big screens placed at both ends of Dinh Tien Hoang Street and in Tonkin Free School Square.

VNA's representative at the press conference on February 21, 2017.

London Symphony Orchestra

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About London Symphony Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra’s core value is to bring high-class music to its audience. Over the past 100 years, the orchestra has pursued its strong commitment to serve music lovers all over the world.

The LSO was founded in 1904 by a collective of the most talented musicians of London – and that remains the case to this day. Owned by its members, and comprising 95 talented artists from all over the world, the orchestra continues to perform with musical virtuosity and enthusiasm – as well as being a regular presence at the Barbican in London, with about 70 shows each year, the LSO also performs more than 70 international concerts annually.

LSO works with some of the most talented artists, including the world's best conductors, such as Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director; Conductor Gianandrea Noseda, Conductor Daniel Harding, Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and and Conductor Andre Previn. LSO is also known for LSO Discovery, a social program based at LSO St. Luke’s which brings jobs to a community of over 60,000 people each year.

LSO also connects with more people under their own record label, LSO Live, which was founded in 1999, bringing classical music to millions of people around the world.

About Conductor Elim Chan:

Conductor Elim Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1986, and studied cello and piano since childhood. Originally studying at medical school, Chan changed direction after experiencing an orchestra in the second year of college, and graduated with an art major in the US in 2009.

In December 2014, Chan became the first female conductor to win the annual Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition, before going on to become the Conductor of London Symphony Orchestra.

In April 2016, Opera Norrlands Operan (Sweden) announced Chan as its conductor for the next three years, starting in 2017.

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