Strict in rehearsing Tuong and singing performances
Many artists who have worked together said that Vu Linh is very meticulous when practicing Tuong. If students do not know the lyrics, sing in the wrong rhythm or act superficially, he is willing to stop the rehearsal to correct it immediately. For him, an artist stepping onto the stage must prepare carefully from lyrics to performance movements.
Artist Vu Luan - who was once adopted by Vu Linh and guided in many classical operas - once shared that his adoptive father pays attention to every small detail. From the way of lowering the Vong Co line, releasing words to the demeanor when stepping onto the stage, all must be in line with the standards of classical opera. If singing is off-beat or acting is not good, he will ask to rehearse many times until complete.
Not accepting lip-syncing on stage
A principle that Vu Linh always reminds his students is to absolutely not lip-sync when performing Cai Luong. According to him, Cai Luong is an art of "live singing", where artists must directly sing in front of the audience.
Young artist Hoang Dang Khoa once recounted that once he asked to lip-sync a Cai Luong line in a performance, but Vu Linh immediately refused.
After that, the male artist said that he always remembers his teacher's teachings and never thinks about lip-syncing when performing.
Strict with both adopted children and relatives
Not only with students outside, Vu Linh also maintains similar discipline with adopted children and relatives if they follow the profession. Artist Binh Tinh - Vu Linh's adopted son - has repeatedly shared that he is very serious when guiding her in classical opera roles.
According to Binh Tinh, every time he rehearses, Vu Linh often asks her to practice her voice and memorize the lyrics before entering rehearsals. If she is not prepared carefully, he will directly remind her because he believes that artists must respect the stage and the audience. Even, Binh Tinh revealed that the foster father even "beats" (in a way of teaching, wanting to make his children better) if she sings incorrectly, does not play the role properly.
Strict to maintain professional standards
In Vu Linh's concept, Cai Luong is a profession bestowed by the Ancestral Master, so artists must preserve it. Therefore, he often reminded young artists that they should not see the stage just as a place to earn a living but also as a place to preserve a traditional art form.
Artist Hong Phuong - Vu Linh's biological niece - is also one of the faces that he taught and guided. According to Hong Phuong, her uncle was always strict and taught her to be serious and preserve the profession.
In the previous "Sao Noi Ngoi" program, artist Vu Linh shared with the audience that he felt secure about Hong Phuong and considered her his descendant, the successor to his family.
It can be said that this strictness makes many students both admire and be grateful to their teacher. For them, Vu Linh is not only a famous artist of Cai Luong stage but also a person who contributes to preserving professional standards for future generations of artists.
