WINNING PERFORMANCE - Đặng Thị Thùy Dương of HCM City (right) won first prize at the 20th Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) Awards organised by HCM City Television from May to September. — Photo courtesy of HTV

HCM CITY — Đặng Thị Thùy Dương of HCM City won first prize at the 20th Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) Awards, an annual cải lương (reformed opera) competition launched by HCM City Television (HTV).

The 32-year-old actress received recognition from the jury for her acting in an excerpt from historical cải lương play Thượng Dương Hoàng Hậu (Empress Thượng Dương), written by playwright Quốc Khánh, in the finale held on Sunday night.

The play portrays the tragedy of a powerful woman, but she still suffers from loneliness and unhappiness.

With support from Meritorious Artist Ngọc Đợi, Dương’s performance impressed the judges with her sweet and strong voice, as well as emotional acting.

People’s Artist Quế Trân, a jury member, said that Dương portrayed the character’s personality with her eyes, strong voice, laughter, and emotions, which are difficult to express in cải lương.

Actress Lê Thị Hà Như of Vĩnh Long Province was awarded second prize for her performance in the excerpt of historical play Đêm Trước Ngày Hoàng Đạo (The Night Before Dawn) by Võ Tử Uyên.

The play focuses on the unjust death of national hero Nguyễn Trãi, one of Việt Nam’s greatest politicians and poets.

People’s Artist Thanh Nam, a jury member, said Như showed impressive progress during the contest, but her lack of experience prevented her from fully expressing the character’s emotions.

Actor Vương Quan Trí of An Giang Province, 16, the youngest contestant, received third prize for his performance of the excerpt of historical play Khí Tiết Trần Bình Trọng (General Trần Bình Trọng) by Dương Linh and Huỳnh Minh Nhị.

The jury praised Trí for his promising voice and acting skills, and said he has potential in his career.

The Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ, which was initiated in 2006, aims to encourage young people to preserve and promote vọng cổ, an art form that is part of the cải lương (reformed opera) theatre performed in the southern part of the country.

People’s Artist Minh Vương, a cải lương guru, said, “Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ honours young talents in cải lương art, as well as preserve national culture for the past 20 years.”

The contest’s winners, such as Ngọc Đợi and Võ Minh Lâm, have become professional artists working for leading traditional art troupes in the southern region. — VNS