Composer Quoc Bao announced in an Aug 6 press meeting that his first oratorio, a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, titled “Lua” (Silk), will be played in Ho Chi Minh City on Aug 28, with all its proceeds to go to charity.

“Lua” is inspired from “Silk”, or “Seta” in Italian, a 1996 novel by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco which was translated into English in 1997 and 2006 by Guido Waldman and Ann Goldstein respectively. The novel has an obsessive, deeply moving content and is perfectly fit for an oratorio.

The oratorio is quite technically challenging for Bao and his cast, as unlike musicals or operas, oratorios are strictly concert pieces, which require the actors to sing only instead of acting.

Apart from the two available songs “Binh yen” (Peaceful) and “Lua”, Bao spent three months composing another 18 songs and preludes.

The 110-minute play, set to take place at WE cabaret at 8pm on Aug 28, will feature several local singers and actors. All its revenue will be donated to a fund dedicated to blood cancer child patients.