Honoring People's Artist Kim Cương

A large audience and many artists were deeply moved to welcome the "legendary actress" Kim Cương. Throughout her artistic career, she held four roles: author, director, actress, and manager. People's Artist Kim Cương poured countless hours of sweat and tears into creating unforgettable memories of her artistic life.

The stage - a haven in life.

People's Artist Kim Cương was born into a family with a rich artistic tradition. Her mother was People's Artist Bảy Nam, known as the "living founder" of Southern Vietnamese cải lương (traditional opera); her father was Đại Phước Cương, the troupe manager who contributed to the development of cải lương on professional stages.

People's Artist Kim Cương's grandmother was Ms. Ba Ngoạn, the owner of the renowned Palikao theater in the Cholon area; her aunt was the famous actress Năm Phỉ. Therefore, from the time she was in her mother's womb, she was nurtured by the music and lyrics of cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera).

People's Artist Kim Cương

There seems to be an invisible thread connecting People's Artist Kim Cương and the stage to this day, leading her to the pinnacle of her career through many roles. Last night, an excerpt from "The Durian Leaf" - a play in which People's Artist Kim Cương was both the author and the lead actress - was performed again. The character of Cô Diệu accompanied her from 1963 to 2004, only ending after the death of People's Artist Bảy Nam. According to People's Artist Kim Cương, many people have suggested performing "The Durian Leaf" again, but she wants to keep this play as a family memento.

"I would like to be a small support for the next generation. I don't dare think of myself as a teacher; whatever role requires it, I will guide the younger generation, and that's enough to make me happy," People's Artist Kim Cương confided.

People's Artist Kim Cương confided that the stage is her life's destination. People's Artist Bảy Nam once said, "Singing is not just a profession, but a way of life – the way of being human." People's Artist Kim Cương has lived her entire life according to that guiding principle. She has no regrets, despite facing many hardships. More than anyone else, she understands that throughout her artistic career, the words "dedication to the stage" are of immense value.

On her pioneering journey in creating Southern-style theater, People's Artist Kim Cương left behind many classic plays with profound humanistic meanings through her various roles, such as: "Under Two Colors of Clothing," "Camellia Girl," "The Abyss of Height," "The Rose Pinned to the Dress," "The Durian Leaf," "Legend of the Mother," etc. She and her theater troupe left a lasting impression on the public for many decades of the 20th century.

Many people commented that she cried in every play. This tragic actress could cry continuously for three performances, then quickly transform into an innocent child to make the audience laugh with "Spring Wedding"; and she amazed the public with her portrayal of the contrasting sisters "Miss Be and Miss Bich" in "Under Two Colors of Clothing"...

People's Artist Kim Cương's constant transformation in acting stems from her desire to follow her mother's teachings – to continuously reinvent herself on stage. She beautifies the stage with plays that guide people towards truth, goodness, and beauty, because art is a beautiful moral principle that her family has followed.

Bringing hearts together

During his lifetime, People's Artist Bay Nam once shared: "The work I am most satisfied with in my life is my daughter, Kim Cuong." For People's Artist Kim Cuong, her mother is everything: "My mother is the one who gave birth to and raised me, my teacher on stage, and also my perfect acting partner, contributing to supporting and training a 'legendary actress' in the Southern theater scene."

People's Artist Kim Cương and other artists on the rehearsal stage for the program honoring "legendary actress" Kim Cương at the HTV Theater.

Her mother is also the driving force behind People's Artist Kim Cương's active involvement in supporting those less fortunate. Having left the stage nearly 20 years ago, her life has been dedicated to charitable activities. People's Artist Kim Cương is currently the Vice President of the Association for the Protection of Disabled People and Orphans in Ho Chi Minh City, in charge of the Fundraising and External Relations Committee. For the past 10 years, she has organized the "Artists' Appreciation" program, caring for the lives of fellow artists, sick or disadvantaged stage workers, and awarding scholarships to studious children of artists at the beginning of each new year.

As if by destiny, the artist was drawn to art. Even though she is no longer immersed in the spotlight, the iconic roles of People's Artist Kim Cương continue to connect hearts that beat in unison. The camaraderie and mutual understanding she has nurtured over the past 10 years has been the source of inspiration, creating a miracle born from kindness and the truth that "live for others before living for yourself."

On this occasion, the Vietnam Institute of Records, Vietnam Record Organization - VietKings, awarded a certificate of Vietnam Record to People's Artist Kim Cương for the following achievement: "The founder and maintainer of the 'Artists' Appreciation' program and the 'Bay Nam' Scholarship Fund supporting lonely artists and children of artists in difficult circumstances annually for the longest period of time" (10 years).

Kim Cương's music and dialogue blended seamlessly, naturally guiding the audience's emotions. Those involved in the program honoring the "legendary actress" Kim Cương reminisced about those beautiful memories of her artistic journey.

During the awards ceremony, the audience enjoyed timeless songs associated with the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe. Many audience members and critics were impressed by the unique characteristic of the troupe, unlike any other brand: the inclusion of musical performances before each show. People's Artist Kim Cuong hoped that the audience would immerse themselves in the lyrical melodies before letting their hearts beat to the emotional nuances of the theatrical story.

This unique program showcased many timeless musical pieces from the pre-war era, and also helped bring the names of many singers associated with the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe closer to the public. Last night, the audience was filled with emotion listening to singer Elvis Phuong sing "Duyen Kiet," Dam Vinh Hung perform "Bong Hong Cai Ao," Nguyen Phi Hung and Anh Ngoc perform "Tro Ve Mai Nha Xua," and Le Thu Uyen sing "Long Me." Particularly, People's Artist Le Thuy sang the Vong Co song "Giac Mong La Sau Rieng" composed by Vien Chau, and three artists: Vo Minh Lam, Ngoc Doi, and Ho Ngoc Trinh sang "Tam Vuong To," a very lyrical and romantic performance.

Mr. Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue - Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - emphasized: "People's Artist Kim Cuong has left a mark on the hearts of fans not only as a talented artist but also because of her big heart always directed towards the community. Despite her advanced age, she still tirelessly knocks on doors everywhere, actively campaigning for donations to help those in need. Her charitable work has given her immense spiritual strength. Along with that, the scholarship fund named after People's Artist Bay Nam has contributed to nurturing the future of many generations of children from the artist's family."

When discussing the music in Kim Cương's plays, the public cannot fail to mention composer Lam Phương. His song "Duyên Kiếp" (Fated Love) was specifically composed for the play "Duyên Kiếp Lỡ Làng" (A Fated Love), which was later renamed "Lá Sầu Riêng" (The Durian Leaf) by People's Artist Kim Cương. This was also the first play to incorporate music, contributing to the enhancement of the play's value.

It can be said that the collaboration between composer Lam Phương and People's Artist Kim Cương opened up the trend of "music in theater" for spoken drama. The theme songs of the plays have become an indispensable creative element of professional theater stages nationwide today.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vinh-danh-nsnd-kim-cuong-196240128205625237.htm