VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Quy Duong, Viet Nam's first opera singer and the first vocal coach at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, died yesterday of a kidney disease. He was 75.

Born in the northern province of Hai Duong in 1936, Duong joined a youth choir at the age of 17 and serenaded the Vietnamese people throughout the resistance wars. Since then, his warm melodious voice has been associated with revolutionary anthems and patriotic songs.

When the Americans began the air raid on Ha Noi in December of 1972, Duong could be heard on the Radio Voice of Viet Nam, singing to encourage the country and its people to respond with courage. He even performed during the historic and fierce anti-aircraft battles.

Between 1979 and 1983, Duong went to Bulgaria to study his art. He became famous for blending a more international classical style with the traditional Vietnamese folk style.

Duong starred in the first Vietnamese opera and, at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, he was the teacher of several generations of successful Vietnamese singers.

He was honoured with the title People's Artist in 1993.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News