People's Artist and musician Cao Đình Lưu has passed away.

(NLĐO) - The Vietnamese traditional theater and folk music community are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of People's Artist and musician Cao Đình Lưu.

People's Artist and musician Cao Đình Lưu

Professor and musician Tran The Bao announced that the talented musician passed away on December 11th, at the age of 76.

He passed away, taking with him the memories and essence of a generation of artists who dedicated their lives to preserving, researching, and creating traditional art. But his legacy remains, like a persistent lamp illuminating the path for generations to come.

Composer Cao Đình Lưu was born into an artistic family.

People's Artist Cao Đình Lưu was born into a family where art was not just a profession, but ingrained in his very being. His parents, Cao Đình Hùng and Hoàng Thị Thìn, were renowned traditional opera artists in the region, admired by the people for their talent and dedication to traditional theater. In an atmosphere steeped in the sounds of traditional opera drums, singing, dance movements, and folk theatrical rituals, young Cao Đình Lưu absorbed the beauty of art as if absorbing the light of his own life. This foundation nurtured his enduring love for traditional opera, and throughout his life, he continued to keep the flame passed down from his parents burning.

Not only him, but the whole family continues to preserve that precious tradition: Meritorious Artist Cao Đình Liên – his younger brother, director of the Nguyễn Hiển Dĩnh Traditional Opera Theatre ( Da Nang ); Cao Thị Lý – his older sister, former actress of the Nghe An Folk Song Federation; and Meritorious Artist Cao Thị Loan – his younger sister, one of the founders of the Trung Thành Traditional Opera Club (Yen Thanh, Nghe An).

The journey from the Zone V creative writing class to the Central Tuong Theatre

In May 1975, at the composition class for nine central provinces in Quy Nhon, opened by Professor and musician Tran The Bao after the country's reunification, the talent of young Cao Dinh Luu began to be clearly recognized. As an assistant to Professor The Bao, he was diligent, persistent, and intelligent, always listening and sharing with his mentor in all matters.

People's Artist and musician Cao Đình Lưu

At the end of 1975, the two teacher and student were transferred to Hanoi. This was a crucial turning point: Cao Dinh Luu officially began working at the Central Tuong Theatre (now the Vietnam Traditional Arts Theatre). There, he not only learned acting but also expanded his abilities in the field of theatrical music , which contributed to his unique mark on Vietnamese Tuong.

A lifetime of dedication, worthy of the title of People's Artist in the study of Tuong music.

Despite growing up in an artistic family, Cao Dinh Luu absolutely did not rely on his background. He learned the craft with the utmost seriousness of someone who wanted to preserve traditional art. He was an excellent actor and also conducted in-depth research into the melodies and music of traditional Vietnamese opera, specializing in composing music for many famous plays.

Many colleagues remarked, "He understood the play from the breathing to the drum beat, from the gestures to the vocal range – as if he understood his own bloodstream."

It is this combination of acting, music, and research that has created the portrait of a rare artist-scholar in traditional theater.

That career was recognized with the title of People's Artist, a well-deserved reward for someone who dedicated almost their entire life to national art.

The passing of People's Artist Cao Đình Lưu leaves a great sense of loss not only for the traditional Vietnamese opera (tuồng) community but also for the entire community of researchers of traditional Vietnamese music. He left behind valuable research works on tuồng music; exemplary performances; students who continue the tradition; and an artistic lineage that continues to shine.

His passing marks the end of a beautiful chapter in the art of Vietnamese traditional theater, but at the same time, it opens a continuation, from his family, from his colleagues, and from the younger generation of artists who carry on his teachings and spirit.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsnd-nhac-si-cao-dinh-luu-qua-doi-196251211215535465.htm