mot tin cu ve chi Huyen ne..
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2002-12/03/Stories/20.htm
HCM CITY — Raucous audiences at live shows are not just the dreams of HCM City’s young pop singers but are also the hope of cai luong (renovated opera) artist Ngoc Huyen, a pioneer who has long fought to lure theatre patrons back to the stage.
In her mid-30s, the captivating actress is among the city’s most popular cai luong artists. But she will face the greater challenge of the concert stage this Friday when she attempts to win the hearts of a mostly young audience with her first live show, Dreaming Forever, at the city’s Hoa Binh Theatre.
"I know that this is the most important show of my career. I’m the first artist to perform cai luong songs on stage in a live concert. So I will give it everything I have," Huyen said, noting that cai luong is a traditional southern art form on the same level as cheo (traditional opera) in the north.
"Although artists on the cai luong stage are trying hard to revive this form of traditional drama, they still face falling audience attendance," she says. "I think that perhaps cai luong needs new performance styles."
And through her performance, Huyen looks to add contemporary spice to the artform – instead of rehashing the themes of old scripts.
Working with nearly 100 artists, dancers and musicians, Huyen expects to dazzle fans with excerpts from cai luong plays and vong co (traditional nostalgia) songs.
"I will perform some excerpts of Xu An Phi Giao (Give Judgement on Phi Giao), a play which earned me the Tran Huu Trang Award in 1991. I also will sing some love songs written by the pop musicians Thanh Son and Truong Minh Chau," she said, adding that the programme will toggle between traditional and popular music.
"I want to bring a new taste of cai luong performance to theatre lovers."
Huyen recognises the difficulty in singing quality cai luong excerpts and performing songs and dances over several hours at a live show. But rather than shy away, she has stepped up to the challenge and rehearsed meticulously with other artists including Vu Linh, KimTu Long and Che Thanh, and pop singer Minh Thuan.
"I have practised my vocal and dance skills for hours every day over several weeks."
Ngoc Huyen began her career as a child.
And after 18 years, she is now one of best-known artists in the country. Theatre fans find her strong and melodic voice, together with her stage presence, very appealing.
"I want to devote my entire life to cai luong because it’s a traditional art of my country," she said. For her contribution to the form, the Government has honoured Huyen with the title of Meritorious Artist.
The actor will perform live for three nights, December 6, 7 and 8. The performance is free for disabled children, and the ticket price will be halved for students on Sunday. — VNS
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