Make 'em laugh: Veteran performer Ngoc Giau hopes her new album will encourage young fans to learn more about cai luong (reformed opera), a southern Vietnamese art form. — File Photo

Giau's CD includes 14 traditional songs in cai luong style, mostly written and composed by Vien Chau, Nam Chau and Tran Huu Trang. These pieces shot the veteran to fame at a the age of 13.

Having just returned from comedy to sing cai luong, Giau said she was confident she could win over her fans, including theatre critics.

"I began my career by singing cai luong. The art is my soul and blood," the 65-year-old said. "Yes, I was involved in comedy because it gave me an easier way to earn more money to support my poor family. But cai luong has always been my strength."

"That's enough for me to have a try. I believe my fans will welcome me," she added.

Her album, Khuc Tuong Tu (The Lovesick Song), features immortal songs like Me Van Doi Con Ve (I'm Always Waiting for You) and Thoai Ba Cong Chua (Princess Thoai Ba), which highlights love, life and people.

These songs have been staged many times in the theatre but have a new flavour with Giau's voice and performance.

Although the artist has spent time practising singing skills before recording, she was very careful about her work.

Giau said she and her staff worked very hard to perfect the album as a way of offering "a gift to my cai luong lovers, whose love and passion for the art has influenced traditional performers like me."

"Thanks to our audiences' support, we can continue and climb to even higher heights of art. "

Born in a poor family in then-Sai Gon, Giau began her love for cai luong at an early age. When she was 12 years old, she first performed on the stage singing vong co (nostalgic tunes), the south's traditional music.

Two years later, she worked for the Kim Chuong Troupe, one of the region's leading cai luong troupes.

In 1960, she was a member of the Thanh Minh-Thanh Nga Troupe, learning with skilled performers like Phung Ha and Bay Nam.

She played leading and supporting roles in dozens of famous plays, including Doi Co Luu (The Life of Ms Luu) and Thai Hau Duong Van Nga (Queen Mother Duong Van Nga). Her strong voice and dance skills left a strong impression on audiences.

Giau discovered herself in comedy after playing Bay Can Va, a disabled girl, in author-composer Vien Chau's Doi Co Luu.

Receiving the support of audiences, in 1990 Giau became involved in the new field to find opportunities. She participated in more than 50 plays and dozens of videos and films, mostly playing comedic roles.

"Over the years I have faced many challenges in my attempt to achieve success," said Giau, who has received several prizes for best cai luong performer and comedic actor/singer at national theatre festivals.

By releasing her album, Giau hopes her work will encourage young audiences learn more about the traditional art of cai luong, she said.