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Durable for the stage
In traditional theatrical performances, music and acting are inseparable, especially in genres like Tuong, Cheo, Cai Luong, and Bai Choi... Music is one of the key elements determining the success of a performance.
Each orchestra of a traditional stage performance must have 7 to 10 players playing various traditional musical instruments. Each traditional instrument has its own unique characteristics and sound, carrying the distinctive cultural, spiritual, aesthetic, and artistic values of the ethnic group.
Artist Huynh Nhat Le - former Head of the Opera Troupe - shared that previously, the Quang Nam - Da Nang Opera Troupe's orchestra had 14 musicians, with him as the conductor. The orchestra included a full range of instruments such as organ, guitar, cymbals, concave-fretted guitar, trumpet, charinet, two-stringed fiddle and gourd lute, zither, two-stringed fiddle, three-stringed lute, and thirty-six-stringed lute… Some of the musicians who left a lasting impression on the audience included drummer Nguyen Thi Sinh, and veteran artists Nguyen Chi, Tran Dung, and Quoc Ho…
To date, the Quang Nam Opera and Drama Troupe has been established and developed for 60 years, but the number of musicians is very small. Some musicians can play multiple instruments simultaneously and have dedicated their youth to this traditional art form.
Artist Nguyen Tinh can play three instruments: the zither, the two-stringed fiddle, and the concave-fretted guitar; Pham Ngoc Tan plays the organ; Le Van Ngoc Huy plays the drums; Bui Khac Huy plays the moon lute; Le Thi Vui and Nguyen Thanh play the zither… Those who play the two-stringed fiddle must also know how to play the trumpet and drums, and conversely, those who play the drums must know how to play the trumpet…
Artist Nguyen Tinh is a highly experienced musician of the Quang Nam Opera Troupe, having been involved with the Bai Choi opera genre for over 30 years.
He shared: "Only those who truly love the profession pursue this career, because the income is low, and the opportunities for awarding artist titles and medals at festivals for musicians are limited. However, we musicians still stay in this profession, simply to fulfill our passion for this traditional art form."
Find a successor.
The Quang Nam Opera Troupe currently has a very young ensemble of musicians, all university graduates in music, such as Khac Huy (playing the moon lute) and Le Thi Vui (playing the zither). They studied for nearly a decade to acquire their skills, yet only receive very low salaries based on the state-mandated system. But because they love their profession, they constantly learn, update their knowledge from their predecessors, and work diligently, accepting the financial hardship of their careers.
In Hoi An, at night, many venues in the old town host performances of traditional Vietnamese music such as the zither and moon lute, contributing to attracting tourists. This will likely help locals and tourists learn more about traditional musical instruments, and provide musicians with opportunities to increase their income.
Artist Nguyen Tinh currently teaches traditional Vietnamese musical instruments to many localities in the province. He says that, following the trend, young people often choose to learn electronic music because it's easier to learn, while traditional instruments take a long time to learn and have a more discerning audience. Therefore, pursuing traditional instruments requires more perseverance and passion.
Currently, many provinces and cities are implementing Decision No. 1909/QD-TTg dated November 12, 2021, of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy for Cultural Development until 2030. This includes provisions for musicians to receive in-depth training on methods of performing and playing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments in orchestras… and to find appropriate solutions to inherit, promote, and contribute to the preservation and development of traditional Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) in the new era.
In Quang Nam province, given the shortage of musicians playing traditional Vietnamese instruments, perhaps it would be advisable to organize training courses on traditional Vietnamese musical instruments for accompanying Bài Chòi singing, in order to supplement the workforce for this art form.
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/ai-se-giu-nhip-am-nhac-dan-toc-3153955.html
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