100 years of Minh To classical opera (*): Preserving and innovating reformed opera...

The Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City plans to organize a seminar "100 years of the Vinh Xuan, Bau Thang, Minh To, Thanh Tong families" in 2025.

Strong origin identity

Artist Thanh Son of the Minh To family is the only one who teaches at the University of Theatre and Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City. He believes that the teaching curriculum must be gradually systematized, so the Minh To Descendants troupe he founded has created a stage for the younger generation to learn the profession in a systematic way, meaning there is theory in analysis, and practice through each role model.

"Vietnamizing in the national language and shaping the style of ancient Tuong from Vietnamese historical works is our family's dream. And the love of the public is the motivation for us to try to preserve the soul of the performing art with its original identity for the past 100 years" - artist Thanh Son said.

People's Artist Que Tran follows her father - the late People's Artist Thanh Tong - to keep the family making new moves in promoting Vietnamese historical works.

Almost all members of the Minh To family devote themselves to training the younger generation, from their own children to outside students. Singing, dancing, and opera classes are still held regularly, not in a big way but full of enthusiasm. After "Dong au Bach Long" is "Nho Bau troi xanh" of Tran Huu Trang Theater, in which child actors learn the profession and get acquainted with traditional opera during the summer.

The Minh To classical opera troupe ceased operations at the end of 1997, but this family continues to maintain and develop its profession, with artists such as Que Tran, Tu Suong, Trinh Trinh, Le Thanh Thao... They are all key actors in many festival-time opera programs, or television programs on southern stations.

Fourth generation artists such as Thanh Loan, Truong Son, Thanh Son, Cong Minh… continue to pass on their skills and participate in programs to promote the artistic values ​​of the family. This family also has two members who are residing and teaching classical opera in France and the US, artists Bach Le and Tuan Minh.

According to Meritorious Artist and Musician Minh Tam, Ho Quang reformed opera has used many songs composed by musician Duc Phu. "Many people still mistakenly think that it is Chinese music. In fact, the music was written by musician Duc Phu, a type of music specifically for the traditional reformed opera genre. He based it on the pentatonic music of the art of Don Ca Tai Tu to write. Currently, I am inheriting this legacy and will strive to pass it on to young musicians" - Meritorious Artist Minh Tam shared.

Innovation within the framework of tradition is the guiding principle in the journey to maintain the profession of the Minh To family. "Hopefully, the next generations will always think creatively in combining traditional elements with modern trends: from stage design, music coordination, martial arts choreography, to storytelling close to young audiences" - Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Yen Chi hopes.

Seminar "100 years of Minh To family"

People's Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the stage of Cai Luong ancient drama has transformed from borrowing from China (music to dance form). Therefore, it is necessary to organize a discussion to summarize a 100-year journey of forming and developing Cai Luong ancient drama of a family that has stuck to the profession with a strong passion, the artists of the family have strived tirelessly, many artists have been awarded noble titles by the State.

"This seminar will summarize many valuable lessons on the methods of composing, passing on the profession and staging Vietnamese historical scripts in the style and tendency of the Minh To family, thereby creating a premise for future research works, theses and dissertations of those interested in the traditional reformed theater in Ho Chi Minh City" - People's Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy emphasized.

"The traditional opera stage in Ho Chi Minh City today needs to integrate into the flow of social reality, thereby promoting patriotism and building a noble community life through Vietnamese historical works. The achievements of the Minh To family need to be preserved and continued" - playwright Hoang Song Viet commented.

"The Minh To family needs to invest more in the field of "School Theater" to bring Vietnamese classical opera closer to students, thereby creating lively interactions, helping young people understand, feel and love traditional art" - Associate Professor - Dr. Tran Yen Chi suggested.

(*) See Lao Dong Newspaper from issue dated May 8

Source: https://nld.com.vn/100-nam-tuong-co-minh-to-bao-ton-va-doi-moi-cai-luong-tuong-co-196250509213635666.htm