Ca Trù: The enchanting art behind each performance (2)

In this post, we will explore the distinct elements that make ca trù a unique cultural treasure, from the distinct performing styles to its poetic content.

Performing styles

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Ca trù is a diverse art form. Because ca trù lyrics incorporate various layers of meaning, performing and enjoying a ca trù show is both fascinating and mind-blowing. Hence, most people deeply interested in this art form come from wealthy and educated families or are talented in music and poetry.

Ca nương - the leading vocalist, kép đàn - the musician, and quan viên, the assigned audience

The center of a ca trù performance is Ca nương - the leading vocalist. She is a well-trained singer with a delicate and expressive voice. In each performance, she sings and taps a beat, meticulously crafting each line and word.

Another person who also plays a notable role in Ca trù performance is kép đàn, a musician who plays đàn đáy, harmonizing beautifully with the voice of ca nương. The harmonious collaboration between ca nương and kép đàn is vital to the performance's success.

Audiences can also actively participate in the performance. Among the audiences, those who are knowledgeable in music or vocal techniques, referred to as quan viên, are invited to play trống chầu or the ceremonial drum.

Trống đế - a small drum that is used by the assigned audience - referred to as quan viên

This audience serves both as a judge of the performance and as a keeper of rhythm, expressing approval or critique through their drum each time the ca nương and kép đàn perform. Consequently, as they listen to the performers alternate between lively and gentle, passionate and graceful, or bold and elegant, the quan viên will respond with different drumming styles based on their own feelings and interpretations. Thus, the sound of the ceremonial drum clearly reflects both the audience's level of appreciation and the artistry of the performers.

Sometimes, quan viên can be the composer of the song. In some performances, the melody is improvised right on the stage, demanding the highest level of understanding between the musician and the singers to bring about a magnificient performance

Poetic content

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Although Ca trù performers may also use storytelling or rhapsodic expositions, hát nói is the core element of Ca trù. This style is a blend of various traditional Vietnamese poetic forms, encompassing a range from prose to the classic song thất lục bát, which is characterized by its distinct rhythmic patterns and lyrical beauty. The theme may varies from romance to philosophical reflections, all of which is an evidence of the forces that influence the poetic styles of Ca trù.

Hát nói is influenced by ceremonial songs used during religious festivals. Over time, these melodies gradually infiltrated the lives of intellectuals and permeated with their personal experiences, thus becoming a style that not only preserves the essence of these ceremonial traditions but also adapts them to a more personal and expressive format.

A stamp featuring a Ca trù performance

This style is also influenced by the philosophical ideas of Lao-Zhuang. The Lao-Zhuang ideology allows more scope for personal expression compared to the rigid Confucian norms. Thus, Hát nói style, particularly affected by this ideology provided a creative outlet for more liberal thinkers to express thoughts and emotions beyond conventional limits.

Hát nói truly transformed Ca trù, as it captures the complexities of human experience, depth, and emotional resonance, then beautifully and meticulously expressed in the concise words of lyrics. The adaptability of hát nói allows performers to explore a wide range of themes—from love and longing to philosophical musings and social commentary. As the most literarily rich aspect of ca trù, hát nói has established itself as a powerful medium for personal expression and artistic innovation, inviting both performers and audiences into a shared experience of cultural and emotional exploration.