Honoring People's Artist Kim Cuong

A large audience and artists were moved to welcome the "diva" Kim Cuong. In her artistic career, she has had four roles: author, director, actress and manager. People's Artist Kim Cuong has shed so much sweat and tears to create unforgettable memories of her artistic life.

Stage - the destination of life

People's Artist Kim Cuong was born into a family with a rich artistic tradition. Her mother is People's Artist Bay Nam - who is known as the "living founder" of Southern Cai Luong theater; her father is the leader of Dai Phuoc Cuong troupe, who contributed to developing Cai Luong to professional stages.

People's Artist Kim Cuong's grandmother was Miss Ba Ngoan, the owner of the famous Palikao theater in Cho Lon; her aunt was the famous actress Nam Phi. Therefore, since she was in her mother's womb, she was nurtured by the music and lyrics of Cai Luong art.

People's Artist Kim Cuong

It seems that there is an invisible thread that connects People's Artist Kim Cuong and the stage until today, bringing her to the pinnacle of her career through many roles. Last night, an excerpt from "La durian" - the play in which People's Artist Kim Cuong was both the author and the main character - was performed again. The character of Miss Dieu followed her from 1963 to 2004, only stopping after People's Artist Bay Nam passed away. According to People's Artist Kim Cuong, many people have suggested performing "La durian" again, but she wants to keep this play as a family memory.

"I would like to be a small support for the next generation. I don't dare think of myself as a teacher. No matter what role is needed, I will guide you, the children, and that is enough happiness" - People's Artist Kim Cuong confided.

People's Artist Kim Cuong confided that the stage is the destination of her life. People's Artist Bay Nam once said "singing is not a profession but a way - a way of being human". People's Artist Kim Cuong has lived her whole life following that guiding principle. She has no regrets despite facing many hardships. More than anyone, she understands that throughout her artistic life, the two words "dedication to the stage" are of immense value.

On the path of paving the way for the Southern-style theater stage, People's Artist Kim Cuong left behind many classic plays with humanistic meanings through many roles, such as: "Under the two colors of the shirt", "Lady of the Camellias", "The abyss of height", "Rose pinned on the shirt", "Durian leaves", "Mother's legend"... She and the theater troupe bearing her name left a mark in the hearts of the public for many decades of the 20th century.

Many people commented that she had to cry in every script. This tragic actress could cry continuously for 3 performances, then quickly turn into a naive child to make the audience laugh in "Early Spring Wedding"; made the public admire when she transformed into sisters "Miss Be, Miss Bich" with opposite personalities in "Under Two Colors of Ao Dai"...

People's Artist Kim Cuong constantly changes in her acting because she wants to follow her mother's teachings - to constantly renew herself on stage. She beautifies the stage with plays that guide people towards truth - goodness - beauty, because art is like a good religion that her family has pursued.

Connecting hearts

During his lifetime, People's Artist Bay Nam once shared: "The most satisfying work of my life is my daughter Kim Cuong". For People's Artist Kim Cuong, her mother is everything: "My mother is the one who gave birth and raised me, is my teacher on stage and also my compatible co-star, contributing to supporting and training a "diva" in the Southern drama village".

People's Artist Kim Cuong and artists on stage rehearsing for the program honoring "diva" Kim Cuong at HTV Theater

Her mother is also the source of motivation for People's Artist Kim Cuong to actively support the unfortunate lives with society. Having left the stage for nearly 20 years, her life has been devoted to charity activities. People's Artist Kim Cuong is currently the Vice President of the Association for the Support of People with Disabilities and Orphans in Ho Chi Minh City, in charge of the Finance and External Relations Department. Over the past 10 years, she has organized the program "Artists with Soul", taking care of the lives of fellow artists, sick and disadvantaged stage workers, and giving meaningful scholarships to studious children of artists at the beginning of each new year.

As if fate brought the artist to art, each passing day, although no longer immersed in the spotlight, the memorable roles of People's Artist Kim Cuong still connect hearts that beat as one. The soulmate love that she has cherished and cultivated for the past 10 years has been the source of emotions that creates miracles crystallized from kindness, from the truth "live for life before living for yourself".

On this occasion, the Vietnam Records Institute and the Vietnam Records Organization - VietKings awarded the Vietnam Record certificate to People's Artist Kim Cuong with the content: "Founder and maintainer of the program "Tri Am Artist" and the "Bay Nam" Scholarship Fund to support single artists and children of artists in difficult circumstances continuously for the most years" (10 years).

Kim Cuong's music and dialogue blend together, naturally guiding the audience's emotions. The people who produced the program honoring "diva" Kim Cuong recalled those beautiful memories of her artistic journey.

During the honoring night, the audience enjoyed the immortal songs associated with the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe. The majority of the audience and experts were impressed by the unique features that cannot be confused with any other brand. That is the appearance of musical performances before each performance. People's Artist Kim Cuong wants the audience to immerse themselves in the lyrical melodies of music, before sending their heartbeats to the emotional levels of the drama.

This unique program introduced many immortal pre-war songs, and also contributed to bringing the names of many singers associated with the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe closer to the public. Last night, the audience was overwhelmed with emotion when listening to singer Elvis Phuong sing "Duyen Kiep", Dam Vinh Hung perform "Bong Hong Cai Ao", Nguyen Phi Hung - Anh Ngoc perform "Tro Ve Mai Nha Xua", Le Thu Uyen sing "Long Me". In particular, People's Artist Le Thuy sang the vọng cổ song "Giac Mong La Du Rieng" composed by composer Vien Chau and 3 artists: Vo Minh Lam, Ngoc Doi, Ho Ngoc Trinh sang "Tam Vuong To" very lyrically and romantically.

Mr. Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue - Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - emphasized: "People's Artist Kim Cuong leaves a mark in the hearts of fans not only as a talented artist but also because of her big heart that always reaches out to the community. Despite her advanced age, she still diligently knocks on doors everywhere, actively mobilizing donations for those in difficult circumstances. Volunteer work seems to give her great spiritual strength. Along with that, the scholarship fund named after People's Artist Bay Nam has contributed to nurturing the future for many generations of children of artist families".

When talking about music in Kim Cuong plays, the public cannot help but mention musician Lam Phuong. The song "Duyen Kiep" was composed by him specifically for the play "Duyen Kiep Lo Lang", which was later renamed by People's Artist Kim Cuong into the classic play "La Durian". This is also the first play to be connected with music, contributing to honoring the value of the play.

It can be said that the combination of musician Lam Phuong and People's Artist Kim Cuong has opened up the trend of "music in drama" for spoken drama. The theme songs of the plays have become an indispensable creative element of professional drama stages nationwide today.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vinh-danh-nsnd-kim-cuong-196240128205625237.htm