'Asia Has Special Place in My Heart, Partly Because of My Vietnamese Origin'

Dorothée Hannequin is also known as a talented actress, costume designer and film producer. Photo: Dorothée Hannequin

This year, The Rodeo by French-Vietnamese artist Dorothée Hannequin returned with the desire to collaborate with local musicians and hold concerts across the country to introduce the new album Arlequine.

Her tour introduced by the French Institute in Hanoi is even more meaningful when it takes place within the framework of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-France relations.

Artist with distinct colors of music

The Rodeo is the stage name of French-Vietnamese musician and singer Dorothée Hannequin. The group is appreciated by many prestigious music and entertainment magazines in France. Dorothée's compositions are influenced by European pop styles of the 60s and 70s.

However, Say tinh (Ivre d'amour), one of her hits, reminds listeners of the golden age of French song, especially the legendary couple Michel Berger and France Gall.

From a piece of scientific newspaper, a news story accidentally overheard can also become the inspiration for Dorothée's composition. Works like De ky uc cua toi song mai (Que Ma Mémoire Vive) or Ngu dong (Cryogénie) were born like that.

The lyrics used in Dorothée's songs surprised many fans by their unique connotations with layers of semantics.

If the first two albums were sung in English, then on the third (Thérianthropie paradis) and the fourth (Arlequine), The Rodeo switched to French. The female artist also realizes that French is not a barrier, but can also create an advantage for her when performing abroad.

With her latest album Arlequine, Dorothée has "feminised" the image of Arlequine - making this character more colorful, multi-faceted, and smarter. It is an image representing a series of portraits of women who are both real and fictitious, sometimes melancholy, sometimes strong, or infatuated with love.

Commenting on the music of The Rodeo, the famous American music magazine Rolling Stone wrote "The Rodeo's two songs Say tinh (Drunk in love) and Con giong (The storm) embody all that is most passionate and wonderful of French pop".

Meanwhile, the program En sol majeur of FRI Francophone International said that “At first glance, it is a hybrid Eurasian beauty. Her songs are like pop candy with an irresistible sour taste. And then, after enjoying both sides (the candy), I was mesmerized by the brown-haired singer".

French singer-musician Dorothée Hannequin.

Vietnamese origin

Born and raised in France in a family with a French father and Vietnamese mother, Dorothée Hannequin is also known as a talented actress, costume designer and film producer.

She had many international tours in the US, Canada, Brazil, Korea, European countries and recently Taiwan (China).

In 2023, she became one of the winners of the Villa Saigon residency program of the French Institute of Vietnam.

Accordingly, she will do a six-week stay in her S-shaped homeland, have the opportunity to collaborate with local artists and do a tour in 5 major cities of Vietnam in June.

She will cooperate with the talented Vietnamese music group Mac and the odd stones on a single show at the Polygon Musik stage (Hanoi) on June 21.

She will also have concerts taking place in 4 cities, namely IDECAF, Ho Chi Minh City (June 16), Hoa Binh Theater, Da Lat (June 18), Trung Vuong Theater, Da Nang (June 22), and at Hue Academy of Music (June 23).

French singer-musician Dorothée Hannequin.

Dorothée Hannequin on the stage.

Sharing about this tour, the Vietnamese-born singer-musician could not hide her emotions, "Asia has a special place in my heart, partly because of my Vietnamese roots, but also because I love immersing myself in a country - not just stopping by but living in the local rhythm.

Recently, I had a six-week experience living with a family in Taiwan that gave me a lot of inspiration. Conversations with people inspire me in music.

This composition stays at Villa Saigon is special to me because my family is half Vietnamese and it will help me visualize what their life here is like. Therefore, a lot of emotions will emerge from here".

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