Viet Nam News
HA NOI — People’s Artist Quang Tho will celebrate his 50-year music career with a live show in downtown Ha Noi on November 11.
Titled Hay Den Voi Anh (Please Come To Me) after the name of a song by composer Duy Thai, Tho’s show will feature 12 songs, including his most famous ones like Tinh Ca (Love Song) and Toi La Nguoi Tho Lo (I’m a Miner). He will also perform duets with his students, such as Dang Duong, Trong Tan, Tung Duong, Khanh Linh, Tan Nhan and Lan Anh. Composer Luu Ha An will act as the Art Director for the show.
Tho, 70, has no health concerns in organising the live show.
"There are many opera voices who reach their golden time in old age," he said at a press conference for the show. "Their experience in both life and on the stage helps them shine. I have sang, taught and practised with my students so my voice is still strong."
The show will take place at the Friendship Culture Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi, on November 11.
He always tells his students to practise singing everyday.
At the press conference, singer Dang Duong praised Tho as an "ideal example" while singer Tung Duong admitted that he was afraid of the teacher at first as his face was "strict" and "fierce". Though Dang Duong as established a career in chamber music and Tung Duong in pop music, both students highly appreciated Tho’s guidance.
At the show, Tho’s son, singer Quang Tu, a member of boyband Dong Thoi Gian (Time Line) will perform with Tho the song Truong Ca Song Lo (Lo River Epic), as well as with other singers.
Talking about his son, Tho could not hide his pride when noting that he had better vocal techniques than Tho himself at the same age.
Tho was born in Ha Long, in the northern province of Quang Ninh. He worked for the Electricity Department of Coc Sau Mine in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh, before joining an art troupe of the mining area in 1971. He performed widely for soldiers and military officials in battles in the south of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. In 1972, he was sent to study at today’s National Music Academy. After graduating, he became a soloist of the Viet Nam Singing, Dancing and Music Theatre. In 1987, he worked as a lecturer at the Vocal Department of the academy. He also held the post of the head of the department between 2000 and 2008.
He confirmed his talent on foreign stages with some international opera prizes in Germany and Mongolia. At the age of 53, he was awarded the title People’s Artist by the State, which is the highest honour of its kind.
Tho’s name is associated with various classical songs like Huong Ve Ha Noi (Heading to Ha Noi) by Hoang Duong, Ta Tu Hao Di Len Oi Viet Nam (Oh Viet Nam, We Go Forward with Pride) by Chu Minh and La Do (Red Leaves) by Hoang Hiep.
Tickets to the show will be available at the Palace, site showbiz-viet.com, facebook @muaveonline or call 0911078369; 0983653566. — VNS