Nguyen Quoc Nhut of Long An Province has won the 2020 Chuong Vang Vong Co (Golden Bell) contest, an annual cai luong (reformed opera) competition launched by HCM City Television (HTV).

Nguyen Quoc Nhut of Long An Province (left) has won the Chuong Vang Vong Co 2020 (Golden Bell) contest, an annual cai luong (reformed opera) competition launched by HCM City Television (HTV).

Nhut and his competitors, Le Van Hau and Vo Hoang Du, performed excerpts from famous plays featuring Vietnamese historical events and characters at the final show at the HTV Theatre in HCM City late last month.

Nhut’s performance in Kieu Nguyet Nga (Story of Kieu Nguyet Nga), a play in praise of love, bravery and southern women in the 19^th century, left a strong impression on the judges and audiences.

His sweet and strong voice and performance helped the actor receive the highest score of 99.79 from the judges.

He won the top prize worth VND100 million (US$4,900).

Actor Hau of An Giang Province was the runner-up, while actor Du of Long An finished third.

“Nhut gained lessons in singing and performance skills from his coaches, Meritorious Artist Thoai My and Le Hong Tham. He made great progress through the competition,” said People’s Artist Minh Vuong, a member of the contest’s judging panel.

“I hope Nhut and winners of Chuong Vang Vong Co will develop their career and keep cai luong, the south’s most popular and 100-year-old theatre form, alive through their art,” added Vuong, who has more than 60 years of experience in the art.

The 15^th Chuong Vang Vong Co 2020 began in June, attracting 386 contestants aged 16 to 35 in Viet Nam.

Its semi-final round featured 36 candidates who won in the contest’s selective rounds organised in six cities and provinces across the country in August.

They performed vong co (nostalgic tunes) songs and cai luong plays in praise of the country and patriotism. Their performances aired live on HTV9 channel to serve millions of viewers around the country. Audiences voted for the winners.

“I’m a rural man living in a small town of Long An. I loved singing cai luong when I was a boy. I can improve my soul and knowledge through this art,” said Nhut, winner of the Chuong Vang Vong Co 2020.

Chuong Vang Vong Co began in 2006 and has discovered new talents in theatre. Many winners, such as Ngoc Doi and Vo Thanh Phe, have worked for leading traditional art troupes in the region.

Source: VNS