Le Thanh Thao and the 5th generation of the Minh To family.

The Minh To family has produced many famous artists who have brought glory to Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera). And Le Thanh Thao belongs to the 5th generation, a mature and established generation on the stage.

On the evening of October 18th, at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre, the program "Tam Hoa Nghiep To" (Heart, Flower, and Ancestral Legacy) marked the 35-year journey of artist Le Thanh Thao's dedication to the arts, leaving a profound impact on her admiring audience. Under the artistic direction of Meritorious Artist Quoc Kiet and general director Vu Tran, the program was not only a personal live show but also a gathering of generations within the renowned family of traditional Cai Luong opera.

Born into an artistic family, the youngest daughter of the talented artists Meritorious Artists Truong Son and Thanh Loan, Le Thanh Thao showed early talent and was mentored by her first teacher, Meritorious Artist Bach Long, at the Bach Long Children's Troupe. Thirty-five years is not a short journey; from a young girl taking her first steps onto the stage, Le Thanh Thao has matured into a versatile artist, leaving her mark through many roles and earning the love of a wide audience. The performance " Tam Hoa Nghiep To" (Heart of the Ancestral Profession ) is a fragrant flower she respectfully offers to the ancestors of the profession, a profound expression of gratitude to her family, teachers, and audience.

Meritorious Artist Tú Sương plays Lương Sơn Bá (left), Thanh Thảo plays Chúc Anh Đài

PHOTO: HK

Throughout the program, Le Thanh Thao took viewers through a range of emotions with her career-defining roles. From the musical scene "Early Roles" to the excerpt "Luong Son Ba - Chuc Anh Dai ," where she performed alongside her mentor, Meritorious Artist Bach Long, or classic scenes in "The Goddess Offering Five Sacred Flags," "The Blood Oath," "Green Snake - White Snake ," etc., each performance was meticulously and spectacularly produced.

One of the most touching moments was the return of Meritorious Artist Truong Son. At the age of 75, he still gave his all on stage to support his daughter in the role of Ly Dao Thanh in the excerpt "The Poem of the Horse's Saddle ". Despite his advanced age and occasional unsteadiness, the veteran artist maintained his composure, his voice still clear and powerful, demonstrating extraordinary inner strength and an undying passion for his craft.

Meritorious Artist Trường Sơn plays Lý Đạo Thành, and Thanh Thảo plays Empress Thượng Dương in the excerpt "The Poem of the Peaceful Horse".

PHOTO: HK

The performance also served as a testament to the deep family ties. Artists from the Minh To family, such as People's Artist Que Tran, Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh, Meritorious Artist Tu Suong, Ngoc Nga, Dien Trung, Cong Minh, Le Nguyen Truong Giang... all gathered together. Notably, Hong Quyen, Tu Quyen, and Kim Thu, belonging to the 6th generation, demonstrated the Minh To family's strong and capable lineage. Furthermore, artist Binh Tinh from the Huynh Long family was also present; she was the "little girl" who studied with Thanh Thao at Bach Long Children's School, often dressed as a boy to perform alongside Thanh Thao, and they grew up together, shared the same love for the profession, and remained loyal to each other for 35 years.

There was an unexpected but interesting twist for the audience. It involved Meritorious Artist Tú Sương, who had caught a cold two days prior, losing her voice despite receiving no medication, yet she couldn't abandon her role. As a result, throughout several scenes, Tú Sương appeared with a slightly hoarse voice in her spoken lines, while her singing was clear and melodious. During the Q&A session, Tú Sương "confessed" that she had to lip-sync to the voice of Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh, who "provided support" backstage. And the audience completely understood.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/le-thanh-thao-and-the-5th-generation-of-the-minh-to-family-185251021171718391.htm