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The newly published book "Dao Tan va hat boi Binh Dinh" (Dao Tan and Vietnamese classical opera in Binh Dinh" by Quach Tan and Quach Giao is a collection of events relating to Vietnamese classical opera in Binh Dinh and ancestors of Dao Tan Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera).
In the "around playhouse" part, stories told by Tuong artists collected by Quach Tan when living in Binh Dinh in the 1910-1930 and 1945-1954 periods. Most of stories are interesting anecdotes about Vietnamese classical opera in Binh Dinh.
The second part entitled "Brief on Dao Tan" consists of articles previously published in Lanh Manh magazine (Hue) in 1960. They briefly introduce Dao Tan and his career.
Also, the "songs and literary styles of Vietnamese classical opera" part by Quach Giao and "Briefly introduce old Vietnamese classical opera" part by Quach Tan provide an overview of Vietnamese classical opera. The appendix includes articles (by Quach Tan) relating to Dao Tan and Vietnamese classical opera in Binh Dinh. It is noticeable that the judgment about the essay "Playhouse notes" is also included in the appendix.
As the introduction in the preface, the book is only systematized articles with subjective opinions involved. It is, however, a valuable and informative book, providing knowledge of Vietnamese classical opera in Binh Dinh from the point of view of Quach Tan, a researcher having many experience of the traditional stage.
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