More than 30 artists are supporting a planned farewell show for Minh Cảnh at Bến Thành Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City on November 7, Tuổi Trẻ reports. The cải lương singer has described the evening as a chance to thank audiences and say goodbye to the stage after 65 years in the profession. The announced names include Thanh Tuấn, Minh Vương and Thanh Điền.
Help from a longtime colleague
In an earlier Tuổi Trẻ interview, Thanh Tuấn said he helped arrange the permit at Minh Cảnh’s request. The paper reported that the city’s Department of Culture and Sports had approved the event at the theatre.
Thanh Tuấn recalled touring with Minh Cảnh as a teenager. After performances, the older artist would make time to teach younger performers singing and stage movement. The new report names colleagues from several generations, including Thanh Hằng, Linh Tâm and Vũ Luân, as well as singers Phương Dung and Ngọc Sơn.
Repertoire from a 65-year career
Thanh Tuấn told Tuổi Trẻ that the planned programme draws on traditional songs and cải lương excerpts associated with Minh Cảnh. He said the evening would contain no new pieces and would bring together people close to the artist. Among the pieces the paper listed were Võ Đông Sơ – Bạch Thu Hà, Quán nửa khuya and Máu nhuộm sân chùa.
Fellow performer Lệ Thủy told the paper that Minh Cảnh’s inventive way of singing influenced later artists. The planned repertoire brings those longstanding pieces together for the farewell evening announced for November 7.