Bach Tuyet, a well known artist of cai luong, or southern folk opera, is inspiring young Vietnamese with her cai luong course at HCMC-based Tran Huu Trang Theater.

Though the course’s enrollment has dropped from 25 to 20 after 4 semesters, Bach Tuyet said it still showed young people did care about the traditional art.

Tuyet said the first lesson she taught students was respect for this precious and sophisticated art form.

Nguyen Van Meo, who won the golden medal at the nationwide cai luong singing contest Chuong Vang Vong Co this year, is one of Tuyet’s student.

Though he graduated from the HCMC University of Economics, Meo said he dreamt of becoming a cai luong artist.

“In the beginning, I just wanted to learn cai luong to perform with my friends,” Meo said.
“But after meeting artist Bach Tuyet, who is teaching me with dedication, I’ve become passionate about it.”

Meo said Bach Tuyet’s enthusiasm motivated him not to give up on cai luong.

After each semester, Tuyet also gives her students opportunities to perform at Thu Do Theater to get acquainted with the stage.

Thanks to this experience, most of her students have been invited to perform on stages around the city.

Born in 1945 in the southern province of An Giang, Bach Tuyet has been known for such roles as Huong in “Nua doi huong phan” and Le Thi Truong An in “Tuyet Tinh Ca”.

In 1988, she received the prestigious state title of Outstanding Artist.

In the same year, she also graduated from the directing department at the Bulgaria National Academy of Theater and Cinematography Arts in Sofia.

In 1995, she became the first doctor of cai luong in Vietnam with her thesis titled “The adaptation of traditional theater art in South East Asia” at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

source form: tuoitrenews