'Virtuous Minister' - young people's opera

The Ho Chi Minh City Opera Theatre has just released the play Hien Than (author Le Cong Phuong; directors Thanh Binh, Bao Chau, Ngoc Giau), depicting the image of the famous general Nguyen Cuu Dam. Not only is it a historical story, the play is also a bridge connecting contemporary audiences with the work of expanding and preserving the southern territory of our ancestors.

Set in the period 1768 - 1772 under the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Thuan, Hien Than recreates the turbulent period of Dang Trong. Facing the threat of the Siamese army invading Ha Tien, the southern border was in danger, the responsibility of turning the situation around fell on the shoulders of the talented and virtuous Commander Nguyen Cuu Dam (played by Ha Tri Nhon). Appointed by Lord Nguyen as the Imperial Envoy to Command the Battle, he and his soldiers faced difficult challenges.

The author has portrayed Nguyen Cuu Dam in a multi-dimensional way. He was both a talented military man with bold military decisions and a far-sighted strategist with a worldly mindset, not only thinking about immediate victory but also worrying about the sustainable development of the entire land. After defeating the foreign invaders, he built Luy Ban Bich and Ma Truong (Ruot Ngua) canal, turning Gia Dinh into a solid citadel and a solid outpost.

Ha Tri Nhon as Nguyen Cuu Dam, Chau Thanh Mong as Mac Lan Huong

PHOTO: HK

In addition, the play also deeply explores humanistic aspects. That is the sacrifice of Mac Lan Huong (played by Chau Thanh Mong), the wife who always stands by her husband, willing to sacrifice to protect the homeland. Or through the internal struggle, when he overcomes personal hatred to choose the path of tolerance, friendly relations, avoiding the suffering of the people because of war. It is this humanity and vision beyond the times that creates the character of a wise mandarin.

The modern staging helps the historical story become closer, easier to watch, and more accessible to the new generation of audiences, but still retains the essence of hát bội. The classic forms of hát bội are expressed through smooth, beautiful choreography. The actors Hà Trí Nhơn, Châu Thanh Mộng, Thanh Bình, Đông Hồ, Minh Khương, Bảo Châu, Hoàng Duy, Meritorious Artist Linh Phước, and Hoàng Hà are worthy successors of hát bội.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hien-than-hat-boi-cua-nguoi-tre-185251007222654176.htm