Cải lương veteran dies at 81

November 06, 2016 - 14:00

Cải lương (reformed opera) star Út Bạch Lan died of liver cancer on November 4 at her home in HCM City. She was 81.

Cải lương star Út Bạch Lan passed away at 81 in HCM City on November 4. soha.vn photo
Viet Nam News

HCM City — Cải lương singing star Út Bạch Lan died of liver cancer on November 4 at her home in HCM City. She was 81.

Lan, whose real name is Đặng Thị Hai, was born in 1935 in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An.

She began her career at the age of 11 with the support of musician and composer Văn Vĩ.

With her beautiful voice, Lan quickly became known and was invited to work for the Kim Chưởng Troupe, one of the most famous cải lương troupes in the South. Cải lương is a traditional performing arts form that became popular in southern Việt Nam in the early 20th century.

She performed in numerous plays, such as Tình Tráng Sĩ (Love of a Hero), Nửa Đời Hương Phấn (The Flavour), and Con Gái Chị Hằng (Hằng’s Daughter), which got tears from audiences in different generations.

Lan became a bright star in the 1950s and 1960s.

From 1976 to 1986, she was director of the Long An Province’s Cải Lương Troupe, and instructed many young artists.

Thanks to her training, many artistes, such as Mỹ Thu, Phương Hồng Thủy and Ngân Vương became cải lương stars and won top prizes at national competitions and festivals.

After retirement, she worked with the Lạc Long Quân Theatre Club to perform and train young generations.

The funeral will be held at her house on Trần Hưng Đạo Street in District 1 until November 8. VNS

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