Playing the role of Queen Mother Dương Vân Nga was an opportunity for Thanh Thanh Tâm to recall the first lessons in cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) that she received from her teachers - Photo: HÀ LƯU
Artist Thanh Thanh Tam's show, titled "Homeland Love Songs - A History of Cai Luong ," is still almost half a month away, but tickets are selling fast.
Thanh Thanh Tam and the commemorative performance.
Thanh Thanh Tam has been living in the US for 14 years. During that time, due to life circumstances, making a living, and also hesitation because some programs didn't meet her performance requirements, Thanh Thanh Tam has participated in few events.
There were times when it seemed like her passion for the profession had died down, but her younger brother, singer Quang Thành, stayed by her side, texting, chatting, and encouraging her, keeping the flame alive for Thanh Thanh Tâm. For the past two years, they've been discussing and nurturing this dream, and this return is a decisive decision because cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) is still like a smoldering fire, and today that fire is burning brightly again, once more motivating Thanh Thanh Tâm.
As the first student in the cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) acting training course at the Trần Hữu Trang Theatre, Thanh Thanh Tâm was one of those selected from thousands of applicants when she was just in her teens.
And from there, she shone brightly, becoming a famous leading actress alongside renowned leading actors such as Ut Hien, Minh Phung, Minh Vuong, Thanh Tuan, Vu Linh... The harmonious acting duo Vu Linh - Thanh Thanh Tam once created a "tsunami" that captivated Cai Luong audiences.
Born into a family of renowned cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) performers, Thanh Thanh Tâm was immersed in cải lương from a young age and began performing on stage at a very early age. In total, Thanh Thanh Tâm has been in the profession for over 50 years.
Throughout her journey, she was not only a talented and beautiful actress but also gradually discovered herself in highly specialized roles such as directing and judging prestigious Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) competitions. Therefore, Thanh Thanh Tam's long absence left many of her fans feeling disappointed and nostalgic.
This time, Thanh Thanh Tam meticulously selected each performance, prioritizing those that evoked memories and beautiful recollections of the past. For example, Princess Ngoc Han is a role Thanh Thanh Tam particularly enjoys.
What feelings will Thanh (Thanh Thanh Tam) express when Vinh (Vu Linh) is absent in "The Waiting Wife"? - Photo: HA LUU
"Ngoc Han's Confessions" is also a work by author Le Duy Hanh, Thanh Thanh Tam's respected foster father. Therefore, re-enacting the excerpt from "Ngoc Han's Confessions" is not only out of love for the role but also as a tribute to author Le Duy Hanh.
Queen Mother Dương Vân Nga is a role that Thanh Thanh Tâm was taught and mentored by her teachers when she was young. Re-enacting this scene brought back memories of her youth and also served as a way to remember the kindness and guidance of her teachers.
The "Waiting Wife" rock formation evokes unforgettable memories for her brother, her "stage lover" Vu Linh... And so, all the emotions and longing for the stage are poured into each performance that Thanh Thanh Tam will share with the audience.
For young people, loving cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) is a blessing.
On this occasion, in addition to her solo live show, Thanh Thanh Tam will also launch her personal YouTube channel. She said that on the channel she will share stories about her teachers, the time they guided her in her career, about her parents, about her friends and colleagues, and the joys and sorrows of her singing career.
In particular, Thanh Thanh Tam wants to focus her efforts on passing on the knowledge of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) that she has learned and accumulated over the years to young people.
Artist Thanh Thanh Tam poses for the poster for her live show - Photo: HA LUU
Thanh Thanh Tam said she didn't dare use the term "passing on her skills," but rather believed that she should share her knowledge and experience with young people. She felt happy as long as there were people interested in and wanting to learn about Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera). She wanted to contribute a little to spreading the love of Cai Luong to everyone.
Director Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, who is also the mentor of many talented Cai Luong artists today, said she was happy to see Thanh Thanh Tam taking on this responsibility of leading the community. This is similar to Thanh Thanh Tam's adoptive grandmother, the late People's Artist Phung Ha.
"Even when Mrs. Phung Ha was nearly 100 years old, she was still deeply passionate about Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera). Despite doctors forbidding her, she actively attended training classes to pass on her skills. Watching her enthusiastically perform the dance moves made me nervous; I didn't know what would happen if she fell."
"Somewhere out there, seeing her granddaughter Thanh Thanh Tam continuing her craft, Mrs. Phung Ha must be very happy," Mrs. Ngoc said emotionally.
In her live show, Thanh Thanh Tam also took on the role of director herself. While still in Vietnam, Thanh Thanh Tam had directed several programs and Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) plays. However, she said she only dared to claim to be a stage director, not a full director.
With years of experience as a skilled actress, she applies her knowledge to acting classes and plays, thereby exploring and creating more. For Thanh Thanh Tam, this work is a challenge and a way to discover herself, gaining a more comprehensive perspective and a deeper understanding of the art form she cherishes and respects.
On this return, Thanh Thanh Tam doesn't expect to create a groundbreaking show; she sees it as a reunion with her kindred spirits and loving audience. She is working hard to deliver the most polished performances possible for her viewers.
"I sincerely hope the audience will love and accept Thanh Thanh Tam's heartfelt performance," she said softly. The live show featured performances by artists Van Ha, Phuong Loan, Trong Nghia, Trong Phuc, Chi Bao, Tu Suong, Vo Minh Lam, Hoang Nhat, Tam Tam, Binh Tinh, Trong Nhan, Le Trinh, Ngoc Cuong...
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghe-si-thanh-thanh-tam-lua-nghe-lai-chay-20260315091100248.htm
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