Reviving Hue Traditional Opera

Hue court opera is a highly scholarly traditional form of musical theater because everything from the music and lyrics to the plot and performance style was meticulously and rigorously compiled, staged, and censored to serve the emperors in the Nguyen dynasty.

With his photo series "Reviving Hue Royal Opera," author Tran Cong Dat once again affirms that, over time, Hue royal opera has gradually faded away, but fortunately, dedicated artists of the Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theatre are working hard to preserve and revive this unique art form. The photo series was submitted to the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video contest , organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

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The ceremony honoring the patron saint of the craft takes place at Thanh Binh Ancestral Hall, the place of worship for the patron saint of Hue's royal court opera.

Traditional Vietnamese opera combines many elements such as singing, dancing, music, visual arts, and literature; the acting style is highly stylized; actors are elaborately and impressively costumed and made up according to specific conventions; the content of the plays often has a heroic tone, extolling the spirit of loyalty to the king and patriotism, a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the greater good, and moral lessons on conduct according to traditional Confucian ethical standards.

Therefore, during the feudal era, especially the Nguyen dynasty, traditional Vietnamese opera was highly appreciated and valued by the intellectual and aristocratic classes, particularly those in the royal court.

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Hue artists participate in promoting Hue's royal court opera art. Tourists and the public in Hue can discover the beauty of royal court opera art right on the streets.

Impressive images of traditional Vietnamese opera artists on the streets of Hue.

Over 200 artists participated in a street performance program aimed at introducing and promoting Hue's royal court opera art.

Typically, actors will do their own makeup for their characters.

The art of makeup and costume design is highly symbolic, vividly reflecting the character's personality in traditional Vietnamese theater.

Traditional Vietnamese opera artists dress up as their characters.

The royal court opera troupe is seen on its way into the Hue Imperial Citadel. Over more than a century of rule, the Nguyen dynasty developed the art of opera to its glorious peak. From a folk art form, opera was elevated to a complete, scholarly art form, both in terms of script and performance, becoming the national drama of the country.

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