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| Artist Tung Leo. Photo: Trung Dung |
How do you feel at the end of the music night “Dialogue with Trinh Cong Son – Love Found” held in front of Kien Trung Palace (Hue Imperial Citdel)?
To be honest, I had mixed feelings at that time, partly because there were too many “accidents” during the program as a result of the heavy rain; and I was also quite sad because I couldn’t do 100% of the script idea I had carefully crafted in the beginning. I felt sorry for my teammates and the audiences. But most of all, it was a thrill to see the majority of the audiences who still stayed until the very last performances. They even went on stage to share joy, praise and take pictures. I felt lightheaded, just like a beautiful dream had just come true. I must say thank you very much to Hue, and to the rain of Hue, too.
It was an unforgettable music night for many people. As for you, being the show director, what do you find impressive about this music night?
I was very emotional. In my idea, I wanted to create the feeling of the late composer Trinh Cong Son returning to Hue to “converse” with the audiences. And perhaps that rain was the way he participated in the “dialogue” that night. The images of the show are surprisingly beautiful, sparkling, splendid, and unique.
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| The artists coming out on stage and singing the song Noi Vong Tay Lon (Circle of Friends) together in the rain inside Hue Imperial Citadel |
Perhaps it was the rain that made me realize how great the audiences were at the show. Thanks to the rain, I also saw how great my teammates were. And thanks to the rain, the program’s shortcomings were all overlooked. What remains are only compliments, support and beautiful moments. I was really happy after the program that day.
Have you and your crew ever considered postponing the program because of the rain? Must it have been very difficult to come to the decision to go ahead?
I never intended to postpone the program. Having worked in this profession for many years, I have hosted many shows in the rain, so when I became a show director, I still thought I would wait for the rain to stop, but had no intention of canceling. How can I cancel it? With so much preparation, how can we disappoint the audiences waiting there in the rain? Many audiences came from other places, bought tickets, then sat in the cold rain for more than 2 hours. I think that by postponing it, I feel guilty to the audiences, to the late composer Trinh Cong Son, to the trust of his family, and to myself.
However, I did not expect the rain to last so long and be so heavy. There was a lot of rainwater on the stage and the entire electrical system was paralyzed. If the singers did lip sync that night, they could act along after the camera was set. But when it comes to real singing, not to mention special arrangements or special compositions that switch from songs to songs according to the intention of the musical “dialogue”, we cannot easily turn on the device for lip-syncing. I personally think that singing Trinh’s music and serving the real audiences without actually singing is very unfortunate and sad.
I waited for orders from the organizers. And when we were ordered to “perform in the rain”, we didn’t dare to waste any second. I immediately corrected all the unexpected changes with narration – that’s the advantage of a show director being the MC. The Organizing Committee's decision to perform in the rain is a very difficult one because the first thing to ensure is the safety of the crew when continuing with electricity in the rain. Luckily, we all made it through.
And what remained in your mind after the Trinh’s music night?
To me, the most unforgettable thing was that, for the first time, I became the Show Director of a big program in Hue about Trinh’s music – a composer whom I loved very much. This was also the first time when my new idea about a musical “dialogue” had been accepted and fully supported; when I had come up with my own ideas, written the script myself, participated in the process of creating musical colors, choosing documentary images, and taken the role of the Show Director with the support of only three other directors, namely stage director, music director and fashion director. I also hosted the show myself that night.
From the members of the Organizing Committee, the late composer Trinh Cong Son’s family, to my teammates in each position and each department, they all supported and helped me with every decision I made at that time. It must be said that the consensus has also been a huge success of the program.
As you shared, being assigned the responsibility of show director of this music night was due to fate. Can you further explain about this?
I visited the late composer Trinh Cong Son’s family at the invitation of BAA – the program’s producer. I presented my dream of directing a program based on the “dialogue” concept, and surprisingly, his family immediately accepted my offer.
I couldn’t sleep that night because of overjoy. Never did I dare to think that I would be loved, trusted and supported so much by the late composer Trinh Cong Son’s family. On this occasion, I would also like to thank BAA, the late composer Trinh Cong Son’s family, and the Organizing Committee of Hue Festival as well. All of you have also supported this program script since the first time I presented it. I am truly grateful to Hue!
And will you and your crew return to Hue to do another Trinh Cong Son's music night?
Most recently, we will continue to organize another Trinh Cong Son’s music night this July, during the The Festival For Peace 2024 in Quang Tri, with a different way of storytelling. Personally, I think I definitely want to return to Hue as soon as possible. When the Hue artists gathered for saying goodbye, they also made an appointment: “How about organizing another “dialogue” night at Song Huong Theater?”. I really look forward to it!
What do you think about a scenario in which Trinh’s music night would take place in the rain of Hue City?
That would be great! I would let the audience and artists “converse” with the rain. The rain is beautifully portrayed in many songs written by Trinh Cong Son. I just hope that the music night would be carefully prepared so as not to affect the health and time of the audiences.
Thank you for this exchange!