On such stages, artists have set aside the risks for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 to let music cheer up the spirits of their audience, including COVID-19 patients, people under concentrated quarantine period, healthcare and frontline workers.
In July, a special saxophone performance won the hearts of not only the live audience but also millions of online viewers when veteran saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan delivered the song ‘Que Huong’ (Homeland) in the windy courtyard of a field hospital in Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City. The artist wore an anti-drop mask and a modified perforated face mask so that he could use the instrument normally.
Tuan said that this special stage inspired him to imbue his emotions into his performance. “Performing in a field hospital with a very special audience is truly the most special experience in my nearly 40-year musical career,” he stated.
Tuan’s performance has attracted nearly 580 thousand views. Many viewers expressed their profound emotion when watching this video, with many comments complimenting it as the most heart touching performance they have ever watched and the most beautiful stage they have seen. The viewers also expressed their sincere thanks to the artist for his excellent performance.
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Singer Phuong Thanh (third from left) and other artists sing in protective suits. (Photo credit to singer Phuong Thanh)
Many other artists have also given such memorable performances. The volunteer team of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural House, including many singers, models, actors, MCs, have delivered dozens of performances in quarantine areas and field hospitals.
Under public lighting, in protective suits and amidst the hot summer weather, singers Nguyen Phi Hung, Phuong Thanh, Quoc Dai, and veteran artist Ta Minh Tam have brought music to people in quarantine areas as well as COVID-19 patients and medical staff at field hospitals.
As for them, it is not only a way to show citizens’ duties and artists' sense of responsibility, but also an order from their hearts which filled their minds with joy and pride as the performances brought them emotions the like of which they never experienced before.
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Singer Nguyen Phi Hung delivers a performance in a quarantine area in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo credit to singer Nguyen Phi Hung)
Singer Nguyen Phi Hung posted on his Facebook page that the moments when he was singing to doctors, nurses, volunteers and people in quarantine area isolation have left him warm feelings and a lot of motivation.
“When we have a love for the arts, the arts will turn into a spiritual strength to repel the pandemic. The smiles of the doctors and nurses and the appreciation of the people have generated more motivation for me to continue on journey to share love with my compatriots,” he wrote.
These are the common feelings of artists who have performed on the simplest, most special stages, and for some, also the most beautiful stages in their artistic careers.
