Hue Court Music was officially formed along with the rise of Nguyen Dynasty in the early 19~ century, although it’s initial grounds were laid in the 17th century when the Nguyen Lords began to rule over Dang Trang (the South).
Even in the early stage these initial grounds involved the genres elements and quintessence of Dang Ngoai (the North) music brought about by Dao Duy Tu’ who followed and served Nguyen Lord. Hue Court Music reached the peak in the first half of the 19th century until the reign of King Tu Duc (1848-1883) and began to decline since the French invasive war in Vietnam.
After the 1945 August revolution, along with the fall of Vietnam monarchism, Hue Court Music was collapsed and disbanded. In about 1947, 1948, Madame Tu Cung (Mother of King Bao Dai) gathered once again some court music artists, helping to maintain some genres of Hue Court Music and dance. Under Ngo Dinh Diem time, the Sai Gon authority had devoted financial assistance to the two artistic bands “Ba Vu” and “Co nhac Dai noi”, using them in the official receptions of the heads of State and diplomatic missions. These artistic bands then were sent to World Arts Festival as representation of Vietnamese traditional music.
Later, the “Ba Vu” band faced large economic difficulties so court music was threatened to be lost. In the 1980s, it began to attract attention of the Ministry of Culture and local authorities. In the 1990s, Hue Court Music enjoyed renaissance. Some genres of court music and dance were renewed by the formation of the “Group of Hue Traditional Arts” and “Hue Royal Tradition Theater”. Thereafter Hue Court Music has been introduce much abroad. Still, Hue Court Music, as is now, is just a remaining part of the legacy of the former Hue Court Music. It ca not be avoided being distorted in some aspects and details.
