The vitality of the Vam Co stage

The Vam Co Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) Troupe from Tay Ninh province is preparing for a tour in Hanoi. Strengthening and improving its personnel, investing in new productions… the Vam Co stage is brimming with vitality.

The play "The Imperial Capital in Turmoil". Photo: Contributor.

According to People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Head of the Vam Co Cai Luong Art Troupe, to celebrate the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the troupe will organize a series of performances for officials and people of Hanoi and neighboring provinces, with a rich artistic program full of the authentic flavors of Southern Cai Luong. Specifically, the troupe will present two artistic programs: the historical Cai Luong play "The Imperial Capital in Turmoil," about Empress Duong Van Nga, and a special mixed-genre artistic program. The tour will run from February 27th (the 11th day of the first lunar month) to March 8th (the 20th day of the first lunar month), with the participation of many artists such as Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi, Meritorious Artist Vuong Tuan, Meritorious Artist Dong Duong, Golden Bell Award winner Le Hoang Nghi, Thu My, Vo Hoang Du… All are talented artists, beloved by the audience, promising to bring Northern audiences evenings of performances with a distinct Southern flavor.

After the merger of Tay Ninh and Long An provinces into Tay Ninh province, the Long An Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) Troupe was renamed the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe. The Vam Co River, flowing through Tay Ninh province, has for generations not only deposited fertile alluvial soil, nurturing bountiful crops, but also contributed to the rich and valuable cultural heritage of this region. The troupe's new name therefore carries profound meaning, representing a connecting flow of culture. With its new strength and momentum, the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe has consolidated its personnel and invested in performances to solidify its position.

For example, the play "The Imperial Capital in Turmoil" will soon be touring in Hanoi. This is a script by People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien and Hoang Song Viet, directed by People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, previously staged by the Vietnam Cai Luong Theatre and winning a Silver Medal at the 2009 National Professional Cai Luong Theatre Festival. The play is set when King Dinh Tien Hoang suddenly dies, leaving the burden of the kingdom on the shoulders of Queen Mother Duong Van Nga. Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi, with her strong singing and acting skills, promises to bring a fresh perspective to this performance.

Previously, the Long An (formerly) Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) Art Troupe also made a strong impression with two plays: "Beside the Long Khot River," which won the Excellence Award at the 2021 National Cai Luong Festival, and "The Son of the Melaleuca Forest," which won the Gold Medal at the 2024 National Cai Luong Festival in Can Tho City. Watching these performances, audiences can easily feel the grand, elaborate, and artistic investment of this Cai Luong troupe with a long history of achievements.

Another noteworthy point is that the Vam Co Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) Troupe attracts many artists. Le Hoang Nghi, a graduate of the Can Tho College of Culture and Arts, chose the troupe to develop his career after winning the Golden Bell Award for traditional opera. Here, Le Hoang Nghi received investment and had many opportunities. Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi, a female performer from Bac Lieu (now Ca Mau), is also currently prominent and has won many prestigious awards on the stage of the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe.

The reality in Tay Ninh shows that large-scale touring activities, systematic investment in each performance, and strategies to attract and train young artists have proven that Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) still retains its vitality in contemporary life. Cai Luong is gradually adapting and renewing itself to win over today's audience. Local art troupes are also increasingly asserting their core role in preserving, conserving, and promoting traditional art.

DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/suc-song-san-khau-vam-co-a199021.html