(Minghui.org) The internationally renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts Company performed an awe-inspiring show before a full house at New Jersey's State Theatre, in New Brunswick on October 27.

Famous opera star Marcello Giordani: Shen Yun singers are ‘wonderful’

Marcello Giordani compliments the singers for their skill and the quality of their lyrics, after attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at New Jersey's State Theatre, in New Brunswick, on Oct. 27.

After seeing the show for the first time, Marcello Giordani, a distinguished Italian operatic tenor who has sung leading roles in opera houses throughout Europe and the United States, said he had never seen opera as performed by the Shen Yun singers.

Referring to the show's singers, who sing Chinese lyrics in the European opera tradition, he said, “They were wonderful! They use a different technique than us Italians. … They are a little more throaty. I like it.”

He was very impressed with the singers' skills, techniques, and the lyrics to the songs. “Chinese songs have great messages,” he explained. “From what I heard, the vocal is very difficult because it starts out very high.

“My compliments to the country of China, as they have such beautiful singers,” he continued. “The sopranos are very good. I think they were very well received here in New Jersey, and not only from the Chinese public.”

Noting the athleticism of the Shen Yun dancers, Mr. Giordani humbly said, “I am a performer myself, an opera singer, but I felt jealous of them because I don’t have the stamina they have. They have to be in shape every single night. I wish I could have their body and figure and energy.”

He also was impressed by the color of the exquisite, hand-made costumes, the movement of the dancers, and the digitally animated backdrop.

Although he enjoyed the lighthearted aspects of Shen Yun, he also noted the message of freedom in the show—the right to practice one's spiritual or religious belief.

“This show was not only for fun. I find it was important for Americans and also for Chinese living in the United States,” he said. “It is a show you cannot perform in China, but it is a message for all the countries who lack freedom.”

Mr. Giordani was referring to the several scenes in the show depicting Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted in China under the Communist regime's rule.

“I really wish and hope—not only for China but for all countries—if you have Communism or lack freedom, I hope you can enjoy democracy soon.

“This could really be helpful, not only for China, but for the entire world,” he concluded.

Dance teacher describes Shen Yun as ‘flawless’

Joe and Debra Orenstein enjoy 'the beautiful live music and the orchestration' at Shen Yun Performing Arts at New Jersey's State Theatre, in New Brunswick, on Oct. 27.

Also in the audience was Debra Orenstein, a dance teacher at Mason Grove School of the Arts in nearby Rutgers University.

“I was moved by the dance sets that represent freedom and doing the right thing and goodness prevailing over evil. Tears welled in my eyes,” she explained.

Regarding the performances depicting Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted, Ms. Orenstein said, “The oppression. I am sorry about that. Hearing about oppression in these times, my heart goes out to [these] people, seeing what they are going through.”

Mrs. Orenstein and her husband thought that the Shen Yun musicians and dancers were “superior.”

“They are masters. They are amazing, each and every one of them. They are superb. They are unbelievable. They were incredible.

“You could see the training from when they were small and the hard work, the hours, and dedication.”

She and her husband also appreciated the show's live music saying it was “amazing.” “I said to my husband, ‘Isn’t it refreshing, the beautiful live music and the orchestration?’”

Mrs. Orenstein found that the performers conveyed both emotion and compassion through the stories, the history, and the movements in the dance and music sets.

“It was flawless,” she concluded.

Jewelry store owner sees Shen Yun as a harbinger of world peace

Also attending the performance was Jay Doshi, the owner of Krishna Jewelry in New Jersey. He left the show feeling that Shen Yun could indeed be a harbinger of peace in the world.

He explained, “People are so busy … stressed out … They don’t think about other countries. They don’t think about the history of other countries … but this kind of thing [Shen Yun] can bring lots of peace in the world.”

Mr. Doshi talked about the need for more cultural programs like Shen Yun. “When each country understands each others' culture, it brings them together,” he said. “More people should know [Shen Yun], they should know exactly what Chinese culture is.”

He spoke highly of the show's animated backdrops and costumes, saying, “It’s the most beautiful show!”

“I loved all the performances. There should be even more [Shen Yun] shows,” Mr. Doshi’s wife added.

“More people should know how Chinese culture started. If we don’t teach this information to our children, then everything will be forgotten,” she said. “When you understand other cultures, it’s easy to understand each other.”

The athleticism and physical nature of the dancers impressed Wayne McCann when he attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at New Jersey's State Theatre, in New Brunswick, on Oct. 27.

Wayne McCann, the president of Long Island-based Harmonious Homes Real Estate, was also in the audience.

“I was amazed,” Mr. McCann said after the show. “It was just really done well and contained a nice variety of things.”

Mr. McCann spoke highly of Shen Yun’s orchestra, which combines a Western philharmonic foundation with traditional Chinese instruments. “[It's] a nice mix of Western and Eastern musicians. It blended very nicely.”

Mr. McCann felt that the different dance sets expressed a yearning for freedom for the Chinese people, particularly in the pieces that touched on the current situation in China regarding Falun Gong, a meditation practice that is based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Falun Gong has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since 1999, due its explosive growth and stark contrast with the regime’s ideology.

He expressed hope that Falun Gong practitioners in China will soon be able to practice freely.

“As I was saying to my friend, 'Is there a reason that people shouldn’t be allowed to meditate?'” he asked rhetorically.

Chinese student connects with his roots

Heng Gao attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at New Jersey's State Theatre, in New Brunswick.

Seeing Shen Yun for the first time, Heng Gao, a student from China, said that the performance “made me feel right at home,” adding, “It was good.”

“When I go back to school, I will tell [my friends] what I saw here,” he said. “It was a big show with Chinese tradition.”

Source:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/opera-singer-marcello-giordani-says-shen-yun-singers-wonderful-308022.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/dance-teacher-finds-shen-yun-flawless-307974.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/jewelry-store-owner-sees-world-peace-in-shen-yun-307983.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/real-estate-president-amazed-by-shen-yun-307963.html