Ninh Binh hosts traditional opera festival

Ninh Binh (VNA) – Nearly 800 cheo (traditional opera) artists from traditional troupes nationwide are performing at the Cheo National Festival 2016 in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

The festival features some 27 shows performed by cheo troupes, such as the Vietnam Cheo Theatre and the Hanoi Cheo Theatre, Hai Phong Chro Theatre and others from the northern provinces.

Cheo originated in the 10th century from folk music and dance and is popular in areas in the north. When farmers in the Red River Delta had finished harvesting, they organised a festival to entertain themselves and thank the gods who supported them.

“Cheo is very important to Vietnamese traditional culture,” People’s Artist Vuong Duy Bien, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said.

“Like many other traditional genres, cheo is facing the challenge of not attracting young spectators. Artists and art managers need to show their creativity by reflecting modern times.

“Cheo artists need to try their best to preserve the essence of the traditional genre and inspire young artists,” Bien said at the festival’s opening ceremony held on September 24.

The opening ceremony saw Canh Chim Trang Trong Dem being performed by the Hanoi Cheo Theatre.

People’s Artist Doan Hoang Giang’s stage work is based on a love triangle between a traditional singer, a Vietnamese soldier and a French officer.

The story, which relates to a milestone of Hanoi Capital in 1954, is portrayed with a human angle and doesn’t depict a dramatic battle scene.

Hanoi Cheo Theatre’s performance won three gold medals and best performance at the Hanoi First Theatre Festival 2014.

Canh Chim Trang Trong Dem is among the three works being presented by the Hanoi Cheo Theatre at the national festival.

The cheo festival is organised every three years by the Performing Arts Department in coordination with the Vietnam Theatre Artists Association.

It is an opportunity for managers and experts to assess the quality of cheo performances to implement a proper decision and strategy to develop cheo art in modern times.

The best performances and the best artists will be awarded gold and silver medals along with cash rewards during the closing ceremony on October 8 at the Ninh Binh Cheo Theatre.

Spectators in the districts of Nho Quan, Gia Vien, Yen Mo and Yen Khanh, as well as Kim Son and Tam Diep will be able to enjoy live performances by cheo troupes during the festival.-VNA