Traditional opera artist Xuan Thu has passed away.

Artist Xuan Thu in the role of Ngo Quoc Thai

Artist Cong Minh announced that his youngest sister, artist Xuan Thu, passed away at 3:45 AM on December 18th at her home, after more than a month of treatment for diabetes at Cho Ray Hospital.

"My younger brother had diabetes for many years, and recently he experienced symptoms of fatigue. Although he had the disease, he always hid it from everyone, afraid of bothering them. By the time he became seriously ill and was admitted to Cho Ray Hospital for treatment, his condition was already critical. Last night, we brought him home, and he passed away at home. He was 67 years old," – Artist Cong Minh said emotionally.

Artist Xuan Thu, whose real name is Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet, was born in 1957 in Saigon. She is the youngest daughter of artisan Minh To and Mrs. Bay Su.

Having loved singing since childhood, and joining the Minh To children's theater group at the age of 4, she, like her siblings, aspired to be involved in the stage, so she was taught every role by her father and sisters.

She is the wife of artist Trung Cuoc (from the Huynh Long traditional opera troupe – who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic – PV).

Artists Xuan Thu and Meritorious Artist Truong Son in the play "Liu Bei Proposes to Jiang Zuo"

Artist Xuan Thu was trained in singing by People's Artist Thanh Tong. Her singing and acting style resembles that of her two older sisters, Xuan Yen and Thanh Loan.

Her acting style was honed from watching her two sisters perform from the wings of the stage, which gave her the confidence to take on roles on the Minh Tơ stage.

She has performed in plays such as: "Phan Le Hue", "The Poem on the Horse's Saddle", "The Proclamation of Dai Viet", "Liu Bei's Proposal for Marriage on the Left Bank of the River"...

In the early years after the country's reunification, the Minh Tơ troupe organized cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) programs for children, led by artists Bạch Lê and Bạch Lựu.

She has been involved with this program, performing Vietnamese historical operas for children's audiences, most notably the play "Tran Quoc Toan Goes to War".

The family of artist Minh Tơ gathered for a meaningful performance on May 1, 2021, with artist Xuân Thu (center) playing the role of Ngô Quốc Thái.

On May 1, 2021, Minh Tơ's family performed a special show at the Sen Viet stage. She, along with her two sisters, artist Xuân Yến (mother of Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh) and artist Thanh Loan (mother of Meritorious Artist Tú Sương), played the role of Ngô Quốc Thái in the play "Lưu Bị Proposes to Giang Tả," organized by artist Công Minh.

"Looking back at these pictures now, I miss my younger sister very much. She dedicated her whole life to her profession, loved her life, was content with her lot, didn't compete, and only knew how to live with the theater troupe, taking care of her siblings and nieces and nephews, finding happiness in her family," – artist Cong Minh shared when speaking about artist Xuan Thu.

Artist Xuan Thu was also a close niece of the late artist Huynh Mai (sister of artisan Minh To, mother of Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc). In her final years, she visited her aunt's house daily to take care of her.

Hardworking and resourceful, she also helps the children with their performances, taking care of their costumes and props.

Her passing has left many fellow artists and audiences deeply saddened, especially those who have always held a special affection for the Minh Tơ family of traditional Vietnamese opera artists.

The funeral of artist Xuan Thu was held at An Quang Pagoda (243 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 9, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghe-si-tuong-co-xuan-thu-qua-doi-196231218065955128.htm