People's Artist TRONG PHUC: The tireless bird

He is loved for his personality and perseverance as an artist who is always dedicated and devoted.

In the more than 100-year history of Cai Luong theater, many artists have left a deep impression with their talent and tireless dedication. Among those names, People's Artist Trong Phuc is a special case - an artist who emerged from hardship, gradually asserting himself with his voice, personality and burning love for national art.

Persistently strive

Few people know that the talented artist today once spent his quiet years quietly arranging chairs for the audience at the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Taking on the job of "backing vocalist" between music shows at the fair, Trong Phuc at that time only had one suit, both for singing and performing.

From the days when he had nothing but passion, Trong Phuc became involved in lyrical music with folk melodies. He is considered a new discovery after famous seniors such as: Dinh Van, Ngoc Son, To Thanh Phuong, Dao Duc... The music albums released by Rang Dong Music Center have become a bridge to bring his warm, rustic but profound voice to the hearts of the public everywhere.

After that, there were long flights bringing his singing to overseas audiences in countries with large Vietnamese populations, and wherever he went, he received the love of the public. Having seen him perform in the plays "Ben Cau Det Lua" and "Ngao So Oc Hen" at the Charenton Theatre in Paris (France), I felt the admiration of many overseas Vietnamese for him. In response to their love, this artist was modesty, politeness, and a spirit of learning.

People's Artist Ngoc Giau commented: It can be said that music is just the beginning. Trong Phuc still hasn't found a true "living ground" for the artistic flame in his heart. It wasn't until he embarked on the path of becoming a singer that Trong Phuc truly shone.

People's Artist Trong Phuc gives gifts to poor farming households in Gia Lai during a trip back to the source organized by the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

Shine in your own way

The art of Cai Luong opened another door, where Trong Phuc found his creative self. With a deep, smooth voice like an underground stream, and an acting ability rich in inner feelings, Trong Phuc gradually became a "distinct factor" on the Cai Luong stage after 1975.

Indeed, it is difficult to confuse his voice with other artists - it is the voice of experience, of dedication to the profession, both generous and passionate, both simple and very luxurious. During his lifetime, the late Meritorious Artist Thanh Sang, when watching Trong Phuc perform the role of Tran Minh - his lifetime role in the play "Ben Cau Det Lua" - praised: "The Cai Luong stage has a junior that I cherish".

In his career of hundreds of roles, Trong Phuc has transformed into all kinds of characters - from simple country boys to historical figures, especially those born in the context of war, where tragedy and idealism intersect in a long note of fate. The audience remembers most his role as Sau Thanh in the play "Warrior" and the role of soldier Liem, passionately in love on the battlefield in the play "Love in Wartime" - a beautiful production by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, a rare new work in the period of script scarcity of Tran Huu Trang Opera House.

It is from these roles that he has become an indispensable face when mentioning the achievements of modern Cai Luong. His seriousness and perseverance in the profession not only create vivid characters, but also inspire young artists - those who look at Trong Phuc to understand that art is not just about the stage lights, but also a journey of overcoming difficulties with faith and kindness towards the profession.

As a judge for many seasons of the "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" contest - a prestigious playground to discover promising voices for the Cai Luong stage - People's Artist Trong Phuc always brings impartiality, sophistication and encouragement. He not only evaluates the singing voice but also sees the potential and artistic personality of each contestant to help them develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. He also participates in the Art Council of the Nguyen Trong Quyen - Can Tho Moc Quan contest.

Sharing about his role as a "teacher", he once said: "Each young face coming out of "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" is like a new sprout of the stage. Coming from hardship, I understand the value of trust and opportunity. Seeing them grow up every day is what makes me happy."

That saying as well as the way he silently accompanies the next generation proves that Trong Phuc not only keeps the fire for himself, but also passes it on to the next generation - those who are on the thorny path of art.

Portrait of People's Artist Trong Phuc

Live fully with the profession

Currently, People's Artist Trong Phuc is devoting his heart and soul to his new role as a revolutionary playwright in the reformed opera "Saigon Fire", a key performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. Directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, the performance is a vivid portrait of the class of artists and soldiers in the resistance war, who used lyrics and singing to arouse patriotism and national spirit.

In "Saigon Fire", Trong Phuc not only plays the role of a playwright but also recounts his own journey: an artist who has spent his life searching for beauty, going through the rough roads of fate to maintain his faith in the national stage. His voice - when raised on the background of pentatonic music and the sound of the đàn kim - is not simply a sound, but a testament to a time, a generation, an ideal worthy of respect when looking back at the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

People's Artist Trong Phuc also actively participates in activities to return to the source, connecting art and the tradition of remembering the source of water. Recently, he and 100 artists from Ho Chi Minh City participated in the journey "Following the footsteps of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising" - an emotional trip organized by the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. "Witnessing with my own eyes the vestiges of a fiery time, I understand more deeply why we must preserve Cai Luong - an art form that has accompanied the nation in the process of building the country. Cai Luong cannot be separated from history, because it is itself a living history. The trip gave me the material to create the role of the playwright in the play "Saigon Fire" - People's Artist Trong Phuc shared.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, commented: "People's Artist Trong Phuc is a living testament to the core values ​​of Cai Luong art, an art form that requires a loving heart and perseverance more than anything else. At a time when traditional theater faces many challenges, the image of Trong Phuc quietly stepping onto the stage every night is an affirmation: Cai Luong is still alive, still beautiful, and there are still people who dare to live for it.

And "Saigon Fire" - his new role - is the fire that continues to be lit from the early difficult days. An unquenchable fire. An untiring artist. An artistic stream that still burns, bright and lasting like the passion of People's Artist Trong Phuc.

Trong Phuc was awarded the title of People's Artist not only because of his talent, but also because he is a model artist who lives a full life. He is not ostentatious, not noisy, not creating waves with gossip, but persistently keeps his profession like keeping a sacred flame. On stage, he is the role; in real life, he is a brother, a teacher, a gentle, devoted colleague loved by everyone.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsnd-trong-phuc-canh-chim-khong-moi-196250705201921937.htm