People's Artist Thanh Ngan portrays the character Trung Trac in an excerpt from the Cai Luong play "The Drum of Me Linh" on the evening of August 31st at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street - Photo: TRI DUC
In this excerpt, Thanh Ngan plays Trung Trac, while Nguyen Van Khoi, winner of the 2017 Golden Bell Award for traditional Vietnamese singing, plays Thi Sach.
Tears well up with love for the country.
During the recent April 30th celebrations, the Cai Luong play "The Drum of Me Linh" (authors: Viet Dung, Vinh Dien, adaptation: Thanh Minh - Thanh Nga group of authors, director: People's Artist Ngo Y Linh) by the Thanh Minh - Thanh Nga Cai Luong Troupe was honored as one of the 50 outstanding literary and artistic works of Ho Chi Minh City.
For cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) audiences, this is considered a classic, deeply ingrained in their memories. Audiences can recite every word and line of this meaningful play by heart.
On the night of August 31st, People's Artist Thanh Ngan embodied the character of Trung Trac alongside artists who had won high awards from the Golden Bell of Traditional Music competition such as Nguyen Van Khoi, Nguyen Thanh Toan, Lam Thi Kim Cuong, My Van, Le Quoc Phong, My Nhung, Phan Van Nhan…
The artists sang an excerpt from the final part of the play, the scene where Trung Trac sacrifices her husband, Thi Sach, while he is still alive. The Eastern Han army captures Thi Sach and places him on a pyre, forcing Trung Trac to retreat.
Despite her pain, she had to set aside her personal feelings and perform the ritual of sacrificing her husband to join the militia in driving out the invaders.
This is considered a priceless scene; after nearly 50 years, many artists who participated in talent competitions still stage and perform it on stage and television.
Today, the "Mê Linh Drum" performance was once again held on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street amidst thousands of spectators, in the atmosphere of the whole country celebrating 80 years of independence and freedom, making it even more meaningful.
Many people were truly moved, their hearts overflowing with love for their homeland, as they once again relived the heroic spirit of the past, with their ancestors sacrificing themselves to rise up and reclaim independence for the nation.
In the wind and clouds of the city sky, the sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers, emanating from the songs and melodies, seems to echo, making people cherish this moment of peace even more.
Thanh Ngan reenacts the scene where Trung Trac sets up an altar to offer sacrifices to her living husband - Photo: TRI DUC
Thanh Ngan mentored young actor Nguyen Van Khoi.
With the play "The Drum of Me Linh ," artist Thanh Ngan has recently performed the entire play several times with young actor Nguyen Van Khoi.
The role of Trung Trac is closely associated with the name of "Queen of the Stage" Thanh Nga. After her death due to a terrible event, many young artists have followed in her footsteps with the character of Trung Trac.
Among them, artist Thanh Ngan was mentioned frequently. She was praised for her singing voice and acting style, reminiscent of the renowned artist Thanh Nga of the past.
Artist Thanh Ngan (playing Trung Trac) and artist Nguyen Van Khoi (playing Thi Sach) in an excerpt from "The Drum of Me Linh" - Photo: TRI DUC
Thanh Ngan is one of the artists who was awarded the title of People's Artist at a very young age. She has performed duets very well with artists such as Kim Tieu Long and Trong Phuc…
Recently, she has been seen closely mentoring young actor Nguyen Van Khoi. Thanh Ngan has given Khoi the opportunity to play leading roles alongside her in many plays.
Nguyen Van Khoi is considered one of the best singers with a distinctive voice among the male contestants who have won the Golden Bell Award for traditional Vietnamese singing.
His voice is resonant, bright, lyrical, and full of emotion, perfectly suited to the role of a scholar or intellectual. Not only was he fortunate enough to play the role of Thi Sách alongside Thanh Ngân, but Khởi was also given opportunities by the Trần Hữu Trang Theatre to take on important roles in plays such as "Bên cầu dệt lụa" (Weaving Silk by the Bridge) and "Khách sạn Hào Hoa" (The Luxurious Hotel )...
As a young man who loved cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera), Khởi came to the Golden Bell of Traditional Opera competition. After winning the award from this platform, he has worked tirelessly to become a true cải lương artist.
From Khoi's case, the Golden Bell Award for Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera) can be proud of its 20-year perseverance, contributing promising young artists to the Cai Luong stage.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghe-si-thanh-ngan-xuc-dong-hat-tieng-trong-me-linh-giua-pho-di-bo-nguyen-hue-20250901063530205.htm
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