Singer Huyền Trang performs the role of Kiều in the music video. — Photo courtesy of the singer
HÀ NỘI — Singer Huyền Trang has released an album inspired by Kiều’s Tale written by Nguyễn Du, a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature.
Titled Đóa Sen Ngời (A Brilliant Lotus) and directed by Trần Xuân Chung, the music video features two semi-classic songs composed by Lê Anh Thủy.
It recalls the life of Thúy Kiều, a beautiful woman who has a romantic affair with Kim Trọng, but Kiều was forced to sacrifice her own happiness to save her family.
Trang won the Sao Mai (Morning Star) National Singing Contest in 2013 in the folk singing category.
“The musical work praises the beauty in the souls of Vietnamese women, no matter where they are, in the past or present, they always try to overcome troubles and preserve their beauty in mind and nobility,” said Trang.
“Kiều’s Tale has been translated into many languages and become an inspiration for many works of art. I feel a deep sympathy for Kiều and her story.”
“I respect both Vietnamese women living under feudalism with inequality and those living in modern times with pressure on their shoulders,” she said.
The album was officially released in Hà Nội on Friday.
People’s Artist Thu Hiền, who is famous for folk and revolutionary songs, spoke highly of the album.
“I think Kiều’s Tale is a difficult subject because it’s very famous and has inspired many works. Trang’s album will be compared and criticised by the audience,” said Hiền.
“But when I listen to the songs, I still feel sympathy about the emotional story in a special way as it’s told through the language of music. The songs with semi-classic and folk rhythms are fascinating and will help lure audiences back to traditional music.” — VNS