VietNamNet Bridge – People’s Artist Bach Tuyet will offer online training in cai luong  (reformed opera), a genre of southern traditional theatre, for young people next month as part of the city’s Theatre Artists Association’s celebration of 100 years of the art form. 

People’s Artist Bach Tuyet, a guru of cai luong (reformed opera), a part of the southern region’s traditional music that began 100 years ago. Photo courtesy of Cho Lon Theatre

Tuyet, who is considered a cai luong guru, and has spent more than 60 years on the stage, said her courses would provide participants with performance skills in singing vong co (nostalgia tunes) and cai luong.  

“I hope my experience will help young people worldwide love and understand traditional Vietnamese music and theatre,” said the 74-year-old who has written many documentaries and books on cai luong.

“To preserve this art, we need to expand it among young generations,” she said.

Tuyet said her training would also help participants learn more about the country’s culture and lifestyle through vong co and cai luong.

Vong co songs and cai luong plays are always performed at traditional festivals and anniversaries in the Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta provinces of Can Tho, Soc Trang, Ca Mau and Bac Lieu.

Vong co songs feature the hopes and dreams of southern people. These songs are used in cai luong and are popular among farmer families, who love singing vong co after a hard day of working in the fields.

Tuyet has performed in Dem Hoa Le (Wonderful Night), a cultural programme that offers cai luong (reformed opera) and hat boi (classical drama) shows every week at Cho Lon Theatre in HCM City’s District 5.

The event, which began in March, is aimed at students and tourists

Tuyet has worked with 50 veteran and young artists, many of them from the leading Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre, to stage excerpts from historical plays such as San Hau ((The Reign) and Thai Hau Duong Van Nga.(Queen Mother Duong Van Nga).        

The artists also perform songs and dances of cai luong, which feature the culture and lifestyle of Sai Gon in the 1950s and 60s.

“I believe cai luong will attract younger audiences if it offers shows in a new and modern style," Tuyet said.

Source: VNS