Classic Vietnamese Opera Revived to Mark 50 Years of Ho Chi Minh City's Renaming

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City's renaming, Vietnamese theater companies are reviving classic cải lương (Vietnamese folk opera) performances. The Trần Hữu Trang Theatre is set to stage "Tiếng Hò Sông Hậu" (Song of the Hau River) on July 18th, a significant play from the early days of the Saigon 2 cải lương troupe, approximately 50 years ago.

"Tiếng Hò Sông Hậu," penned by playwright Điêu Huyền, is a celebrated revolutionary work depicting the suffering of peasants under the dual oppression of French colonialists and local landlords. Characters like Bà Tư Hậu and Chơn have become iconic in the history of cải lương, brought to life by legendary performers such as Diệp Lang and Giang Châu. The current production is directed by Hoa Hạ and features a new generation of artists including Tấn Giao, Lê Tứ, and Hà Như.

In addition to "Tiếng Hò Sông Hậu," the VOH Theatre will host "Âm Thanh Phù Sa" (Sound of Alluvium) on June 16th, aiming to foster public appreciation for cải lương. This program will feature acclaimed artists like Phượng Hằng, known for her distinctive long-breath Vọng Cổ singing style, alongside rising stars Nguyễn Thanh Toàn and Nguyễn Thị Như Ý.

Meanwhile, Sân khấu Vũ Luân is revisiting "Lôi Vũ" (Thunderstorm) on June 20th at the Trần Hữu Trang Theatre. The production will highlight the performance of Bích Trâm, who recently won first prize in a national cải lương acting competition for her portrayal of Thị Bình. This staging offers audiences a chance to see Bích Trâm's award-winning performance in its full context, alongside artists like Vũ Luân and Nguyễn Văn Hợp. The article also briefly mentions Chí Linh directing "Dưới Hai Màu Áo" (Under Two Flags), another classic play.