To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the Vocal Department is launching two special art programs. Attending the event, artist Quang Tho reminisced about his journey from a student to a lecturer at the institution, recalling the challenging early days of his career.

Born into a large family in Ha Long, Quang Ninh, Quang Tho left school after 8th grade to work and help his parents support his siblings. His singing talent blossomed during his years working in the Quang Ninh coal mine, where he discovered his passion for music.

In early 1971, he left his mining job, donned a backpack, and joined the shock art troupe of the mining region. He traveled through battlefields, performing for officers and soldiers stationed in the South, Laos, and Cambodia. After two years of active artistic work, he was sent for training at the Vietnam Music School, now known as the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Upon graduation, he became a solo artist at the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Theater. In 1987, he joined the faculty of the Vocal Department at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, the former name of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, serving as department head from 2000 to 2008.

Quang Tho vividly remembers the early days when performances were on a much smaller scale. While studying, he and his classmates frequently accompanied faculty members to performances. "I only sang with a guitar or piano, not a grand symphony orchestra," he recalled. He recounted a particularly challenging tour in 1986, for the school's 30th anniversary. People's Artist Trung Kien, then Head of the Vocal Department, led a troupe of six singers, including Quang Tho, and two instrumental soloists to perform in various localities. Performing outdoors, they didn't generate enough revenue, leading Professor Trung Kien to cover the losses. A fortunate turn of events occurred in Buon Ma Thuot, where provincial authorities provided a stage, accommodation, and two quintals of coffee as a gift. Due to checkpoint regulations, each person was only allowed to carry one kg of unroasted coffee. However, passing through Nha Trang, traders from TP HCM bought all their coffee, generating significant funds and alleviating some financial worries. To this day, artist Quang Tho vividly remembers that difficult period.

Artist Quang Tho at the event on 30/9. The 78-year-old artist has many successful students, including Dang Duong, Trong Tan, My Linh, Tung Duong, and Khanh Linh. *Photo: Nguyen Tho Nam*

To mark the 70-year milestone, the Vocal Department is organizing the "Resonantia" concert at 20h on 24/10. The program features classical chamber works from around the world, with performances by artists such as Dang Duong, Lan Anh, Phuong Nga, Phuong Uyen, To Loan, Phuc Tiep, Huyen Trang, and the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tran Nhat Minh. Part one of the concert includes opera pieces exploring themes of love, youth, and aspiration, such as 'Heia, in den Bergen', 'Dein ist mein ganze', 'Parigi, o cara', and 'Eletsky's aria'. The remaining portion of the program expands the musical scope, featuring diverse styles. According to the organizers, the concert's highlight is its continuous progression, guiding the audience's emotions through various developments.

A subsequent event is the music night "70 years - Enduring Melodies", scheduled for 20h on 14/11. This concert will feature chamber, folk, and light music genres, presenting a series of timeless works. The event will bring together People's Artist Quang Tho, Quoc Hung, Duong Minh Duc, Ngoc Khang, Ha Thuy, Thanh Lam, Meritorious Artist Viet Hoan, Dang Duong, Tan Nhan, Phuong Nga, and vocalists My Linh, Trong Tan, Anh Tho, Le Anh Dung, Phuc Tiep, Khanh Ly, alongside outstanding current students.

People's Artist Quang Tho duets with Dong Hung on the song 'Uncle Is Marching With Us' (Huy Thuc). *Video: Hoa xuan ca*

Associate Professor, Doctor Tan Nhan, Head of the Vocal Department, Vietnam National Academy of Music. *Photo: Nguyen Tho Nam*

Artist Tan Nhan stated that the two programs showcase the department's development within the Academy, covering two major areas: European academic music and Vietnamese classical chamber music. The '70 years - Enduring Melodies' event will feature generational meetings of artists, demonstrating the continuation of training traditions and a shared vision for the future. According to director Ngoc Cham, the program can be seen as a miniature cross-section of modern Vietnamese music history over 70 years.

Phuong Linh