Traditional opera is having a joyful season.

(GLO) - Since the beginning of the year, traditional opera troupes in Gia Lai have been continuously touring, bringing vibrant colors of traditional art to the cultural and spiritual life of the people.

In folk festivals such as Ky Yen, Cau Ngu, Thanh Minh, and the anniversary of the founding of the traditional opera, the Cai Luong (Vietnamese classical opera) stage remains an indispensable part for the audience. This is a beautiful traditional cultural feature preserved through many generations, contributing to keeping the Cai Luong stage alive.

In high demand both within and outside the province.

“We’ve had a regular performance schedule since the beginning of the year, with shows almost every month. In some months, we even had to move immediately after finishing performances in one locality to perform for audiences elsewhere that same night. It’s tiring but rewarding, because the audience is looking forward to our performances,” shared Meritorious Artist Hoang Kieu, Head of the Ngo May Traditional Opera Troupe.

Besides performing in familiar venues within the province, many troupes also receive contracts in neighboring provinces such as Quang Ngai and Dak Lak . This shows that Binh Dinh's traditional opera art still maintains its "brand" and appeal to a wide audience.

Since the beginning of the year, the Nhon Hung traditional opera troupe has had a successful run with over 120 performances in various locations. Photo: Kieu My

Meritorious Artist Minh Luong, Head of the Nhon Hung traditional opera troupe, happily shared: “This year we’ve had a ‘bumper season’ of touring, with over 120 performances in many localities. Recently, the troupe also performed for students at the Gia Lai Provincial Museum, offering them traditional opera experiences. In the upcoming seventh lunar month, we will have a performance for the autumn festival in Tuy Phuoc commune. We are deeply moved by the large audience who came to cheer us on and fully enjoy each performance.”

This year's traditional opera season has seen the Dao Tan Troupe (part of the Gia Lai Provincial Traditional Arts Theatre) complete nearly 80 performances. In the upcoming seventh lunar month, the troupe will continue performing at the autumn festival in Nhon Ly coastal village (Quy Nhon Dong ward). Meritorious Artist Dao Trung Nghia, head of the Dao Tan Troupe, said: "Besides touring, we also organize experiential programs to learn about traditional opera for students at the Theatre and schools, helping the younger generation access traditional art."

Continuing the tradition, spreading the legacy.

Particularly encouraging is that, besides the Dao Tan traditional opera troupe, several amateur traditional opera troupes now have many young artists studying the art form. To keep up with modern trends, many young artists also post images of their costumes and performances on social media to promote this art form.

The Dao Tan traditional opera troupe is performing in the coastal village of Nhon Hai (Quy Nhon Dong ward). Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Artist Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, an actress from the An Nhon 2 Traditional Opera Troupe, shared: “The behind-the-scenes makeup videos , live streams of performances, and my emotional reflections after a role that I post on my personal Facebook and TikTok accounts have received many likes and shares. I am happy to have contributed to spreading traditional opera closer to a wider audience, including many young people.”

Although the stage is lit up this year, in the long run, amateur traditional opera troupes need support to maintain their operations more sustainably.

Artist Nguyen Hoang Minh, Head of the Phuoc An traditional opera troupe, expressed: “Last year, the People's Council of Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai province) passed a Resolution stipulating a number of policies for preserving and promoting traditional art forms in Binh Dinh province, for the period 2024-2028. However, to date, we artists have not received support from this policy. We hope that all levels and sectors will pay attention to amateur traditional opera troupes, so that artists have more motivation to continue contributing.”

Even though the plays are old and familiar, such as: Ancient Citadel, The Western Campaign, The Five Tigers Pacifying the South, The Three Heroes, Executing Trinh An, The Three Attacks on Southern Duong, The Shadow of the Righteous Hero… they still captivate audiences because of the unique acting skills of the artists and performers in each troupe.

Artist Thai Anh, an actor from the Dao Tan traditional opera troupe, shared: “Performing so much is tiring; going backstage leaves us exhausted, but seeing the large and joyful audience lifts our spirits. Many audience members arrive early to watch the artists get ready and take souvenir photos. We believe that traditional opera still has a place in the hearts of the public amidst the flow of modern forms of entertainment.”

Veteran artists also couldn't hide their joy at seeing young people love and pursue the art of traditional Vietnamese opera, continuing the legacy of this art form passed down from their ancestors. Meritorious Artist Huynh Thi Kim Chung, an actress in the Tran Quang Dieu Traditional Opera Troupe, confided: "Although we still face many difficulties in finding young people to pass on the craft, I see that some troupes still have young actors, which is a promising sign for the traditional opera stage."

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hat-boi-duoc-mua-vui-post563035.html