The last living musician of the Nguyen Dynasty (1908-1945), Lu Huu Thi, died of old age in his home in Hue on Thursday. He was 106.

Mr. Lu Huu Thi

He served in the royal music band from 1940 to 1945.

Thi was born in 1910. He learned to play various traditional musical instruments from his father when he was eight years old.

He first played at a royal event at An Định Palace. After that he played with Hoa Thanh, the royal band, until the day King Bao Dai abdicated the throne.

After August 1945, the Hoa Thanh band dispersed. Thi continued to perform royal music at folk festivals and in daily life.

After the art of royal music was recognised by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, artisan Thi was invited to work as an advisor and teacher for the court band managed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre. He did so until his death.

Five generations of Thi’s family worked as royal musicians. Many of his children work at the Hue Traditional Art Theatre.

His funeral will take place at his home, 200 Dang Tat, Hue. 

VNS