A mesmerising crossover of
Vietnamese and French music

A subtly romantic encounter celebrating the
power and ethereal nature of beauty

An enthralling experience awaits in this extraordinary performance that blends traditional Vietnamese songs with western jazz and eastern folk music instruments.

Vocalist Huong Thanh was born in Ho Chi Minh City to a musical family. Her father was a renowned singer of Cai Luong (reformed Vietnamese opera), and Thanh was trained to interpret these folk tunes at a young age. She later moved to France but has since returned to her homeland many times, performing with some of the greatest musicians in the country.

Guitarist Nguyên Lê is not only a brilliant performer but also an outstanding creative force, producer and sound mixer. Lê's passion for music ranges from rock 'n' roll to jazz. He has been much influenced by jazz greats such as Gil Evans and Ornette Coleman, with the latter's creative spirit the guiding light of his works.

The septet appearing in Fragile Beauty is an excellent example of east-west fusion. Here, instruments such as the Japanese koto and the 16-string zither create a distinctly oriental air. But what really catches the ear is the merging of these eastern sounds with electric and acoustic guitars as well as synthesisers. Improvisation will also be a major feature and the dialogue between various instruments, such as Japanese koto, guitars and African percussion instruments, is sure to be a highlight.

In this tribute to universal harmony, the beauty of traditional Vietnamese songs transcends cultural boundaries, melding poetic east with contemporary west to create a wonderful collaborative concert that no world music fan can afford to miss.