Precious cultural capital serving the grassroots

Not only performing online, the theater also actively brings excerpts of reformed opera to the grassroots to serve the people. The new excerpts are imbued with humanity, reflecting contemporary life, contributing to bringing reformed opera art closer to the public.

More excerpts from reformed opera

Among the newly released excerpts, This Spring We Have Each Other (author Thuy Duong, adapted from Cai Luong by Vu Thuan, director Thanh Luu) is considered a highlight. The excerpt depicts the loneliness and lack of affection of fathers and mothers in the countryside when their children work in the city.

Mrs. Nuong (artist Thu Huyen) is a widow, living quietly in her hometown, with children busy in the city, not coming home for Tet. Mr. Quan (artist Hoang Viet Trang) works as a delivery man, alone for more than 20 years raising his son in college, but his son lives far away, indifferent to his father. Two lonely people meet by chance through an online order, and from there, a small journey begins: They chat together, go on spring outings together, and share the warmth of human love.

A scene from the excerpt from the opera "This Spring We Have Each Other" performed by artists Thu Huyen and Hoang Viet Trang.

Artist Hoang Viet Trang emotionally shared: “The stories of Mr. Quan and Mrs. Nuong are not grand stories, but originate from the reality of ordinary life around us. We hope that through the excerpt of Cai Luong This Spring We Have Each Other, the audience, especially the young people, will better understand the feelings of their parents, and appreciate family and homeland.”

Excerpt from Cai Luong Cuoc Tinh Buon (author Le Trung Dung, adapted by Cai Luong Nguyen Luu Thanh, director Thanh Luu) revolves around the historical story of Ho Thi Chi (artist Phuong Thao), daughter of Ho Dac Trung (artist Thanh Vinh), whose engagement was rejected by the king. The excerpt subtly exploits the character's psychology, highlighting the conflict between love and status, between personal aspirations and feudal etiquette under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Being a young lady of “golden age”, with both talent and beauty, Ho Thi Chi’s fate was “unfair” and caused her life to encounter many hardships and difficulties. She met King Duy Tan at the age of 12, when the king was only 14 years old and had been on the throne for 6 years. During this time, her 4 siblings had the honor of accompanying their father, Minister of Education Ho Dac Trung, to the beach to relax. Right from the first meeting, thanks to her youthful, pretty, and graceful appearance, she caught the young king’s eye.

At the end of 1915, King Duy Tan invited Minister Ho Dac Trung to meet him privately and announced his withdrawal from the marriage with Ho Thi Chi without giving any reason. This incident made Ho Dac Trung's family, especially Ho Thi Chi, very disappointed and sad. In the cai luong excerpt, Ho Dac Trung tried to console and console his daughter as well as retrieve the token to return to the king.

Preserving and spreading the art of reformed opera

Ms. Le Thi Tra My, a member of Dong Nai neighborhood, Bien Hoa ward, shared: "On weekends, sitting at home with family watching online music and dance programs, excerpts from reformed opera, is as emotional as watching live at the theater. The story in This Spring We Have Each Other makes viewers think about family stories, about love, about lifestyle and even the habits of today's society such as: Smoking is not only harmful to health but sometimes costs life, or a part of today's young people have a "canvas" lifestyle.

According to Deputy Director of Dong Nai Art Theater Nguyen Viet Bac, every year, the unit builds new cai luong excerpts, performs to serve political tasks, serve the people. Cai luong excerpts are elaborately staged, lasting from 15-30 minutes; the stage design is not too sophisticated, suitable for mobile performances at schools and cultural institutions. Particularly for online, the unit focuses on applying technology, LED screens to bring the stage a new, more attractive, and lively look, helping viewers "relive" in an artistic space imbued with the Southern style.

In addition to performing excerpts from reformed opera, Dong Nai Art Theater has recorded and is broadcasting on the unit's Facebook and YouTube channels many reformed operas such as: Reformed National Operative, Hoan Chau's Heroic Spirit, Khoi Nguon, Comrades, Anh Nhat Nguyet... Thanks to that, audiences across the country can easily enjoy the art, contributing to the strong spread of reformed opera from the Southern region in today's life.

“The performance of cai luong excerpts not only meets the public’s need for art enjoyment but also serves as a cultural bridge, helping people, especially the young generation, to love and understand more about the traditional artistic values of the nation. Whether in urban or rural areas, border areas, or ethnic minority areas, every audience member can enjoy every lyric, every vọng cổ and cai luong verse imbued with the love of the land and people of Dong Nai” - said artist Nguyen Viet Bac.

In addition to the excerpts This Spring We Have Each Other, Sad Love, in recent times, Dong Nai Art Theater has staged and performed dozens of cai luong excerpts for people to enjoy art online and at the grassroots level. Excerpts include: Ong Sau Rung Sac, Lang Nha Princess, Sac Hoa Mau Nho, Oai Hung Su Ca, Ngan Thu Guong Nu Liet, Cuoc Tinh Oan Trach, Hon Vong Phu, Quy Vuong, Tieng Scream at the Execution Ground, Khi Chiet Tran Binh Trong... The excerpts have diverse topics and themes, conveying many humane messages, educating the young generation about patriotism, love of homeland, family, and human morality.

By bringing the art of reformed opera to the public through online and local tours, Dong Nai Art Theater has been spreading traditional art to the people, contributing to building a rich and humane cultural and spiritual life in the dynamic, creative and affectionate land of Dong Nai.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202511/von-van-hoa-quy-phuc-vu-co-so-7f91499/