Snow White praised Chau Thanh for singing a long song that was pleasing to the ears.

The trio of artists accompanying the Cai Luong Academy program, from left to right: artists Chau Thanh, Bach Tuyet and Thanh Hang - Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Of the four renowned cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) artists associated with the cải lương Academy, Châu Thanh is the only one who has appeared in programs as a coach or judge.

However, Snow White's invitation to Zhou Qing made sense.

Chau Thanh has a unique style of singing slightly long vong co (traditional Vietnamese folk songs).

Chau Thanh originally came from a poor farming family in Tay Ninh province. Because he had a beautiful singing voice, his uncle persuaded him to pursue a singing career.

He started his career with the Saigon 2 Troupe, then the Saigon 3 Troupe, and the Central Highlands, but his most notable achievement was when he joined the Trung Hieu Cai Luong Troupe with the hit Cai Luong play "The Case of Ma Nguu ," where he starred alongside artist Phuong Hang.

Besides impressing with her leading roles, what people remember most about Chau Thanh is her unique way of singing the slightly extended vong co (traditional Vietnamese folk song).

Composer Dang Minh affirmed: "Although many people sing Vong Co songs with slightly long notes, I assert that Chau Thanh is a breakthrough, creating a new, very unique and representative style of singing with slightly long notes."

"When you close your eyes and enjoy it, you'll find Chau Thanh's voice unmistakable."

Artist Le Thuy, who once supported Chau Thanh when he first started his career, commented:

"This style of singing should be called the Châu Thanh school of slightly longer Vọng Cổ singing. It has variations and innovations, but still stays within the framework of the Vọng Cổ melody, without deviating from the rhythm!"

A working session between judges and students at the Cai Luong Academy - Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Artist Bach Tuyet commented: "This girl is very intelligent. She knows how to arrange things harmoniously and creatively so that when she sings the traditional Vietnamese folk song, the listeners find it pleasing to the ear!"

Perhaps recognizing the creativity and unique singing style that Chau Thanh had painstakingly cultivated, Bach Tuyet did not hesitate to invite him to collaborate.

At the Cai Luong Academy, Chau Thanh teaches young people the "secret" to singing long, melodious vong co (traditional Vietnamese opera) songs. He revealed that he can sing up to 360 words in a single vong co verse!

This might seem challenging for newcomers, but it also makes it interesting and allows them to learn new ways to explore the art of Vọng Cổ, techniques that previous artists have painstakingly developed over decades.

The Cai Luong Academy consists of 12 episodes, airing on Today TV and NSND Bach Tuyet channel from April 2024.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bach-tuyet-khen-chau-thanh-ca-hoi-dai-nghe-da-tai-20240329104517331.htm