THE ROYAL BAND According to the Annals: "In the 1837, the 18th year of the Minh-Mang's reign, the Minister of Ceremonies decreed that the most gifted theatrical groups and incantation singers, of the North be chosen and sent to Hue on the occasion of the Queen Mother's 70th birthday". Also the occasion of the Great Ceremonyof King Minh-Mang's 50th Birthday (1824), singers and dancers were selected from North to perform the Bai Bong Dance. The group, consisting of 64 members, all finely-dressed, and accompanied by large band, was sent to Hue". The Bai Bong Dance was composed during Tran Nhan Tong dynasty by the generals Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Quang Khai, and performed at the Festival of Peace held for three successive days in the capital of Thang-Long (present-day Hanoi) in 1288. This dance was usually performed on a full moon night by lamp- light. It began with a high-piched song, after which the singers and dancers rose and opened their fans, dancing and singing in chorus. Seven centuries have passed, but some artists in Hanoi still remember all the movements, songs and musics, even the cadences of the drums as performed in that Bai Bong Dance. Bearing the name "Royal Band", the Song and Dance Ensemble of Hue still preserves and performs the traditional art. It consists of two groups with 17 national instruments such as the 16-string Zither (Dan tranh), 36-string dulcimer, two-string violin (nhi) Single-string Zither (Dan bau), flute (sao truc) trumpet (ken loa), drum and gong, castanets (cap ke) and seng tien. It usually performs on festive or ceremonial occasions like wedding or funerals. There are ten traditional songs, including those entitled Luu Thuy (Running Water), Co Bon (Ancient Pieces), Long Diep (Flying Butterfly), Xuan Phong (Spring Wind), Kim Tien (Golden Coin), Long Ho (Dragon and Tiger) and Pham Tuyet (Wandering in the Snow). They have been the inspiration for many others throughout the country. Among the dances which remain, some of the principal ones are: the Flower Dance, Candle Dance, Twin Phoenix Dance, Sword Dance and Unicorn Dance. The last one is symbolic of love, maternity and happiness, as well as fecundity. From the movements of a male and female unicorn, a baby unicorn appears. It is not merely a dance, but something of myth and magic - and above all it is joyful to watch. The conductor of the Royal Band is Mr. Duong Van Lam, who is 81 years old and had been a royal musician since he was 12. He succeeded his father and grandfather as leader of the group, and can play all kinds of traditional instruments. Nowadays, he not only conducts, but also helps to collect old musical treasures.
