(Minghui.org) The Jhungshan Auditorium hosted the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company for seven exhilarating, filled-to-capacity shows from March 28 to April 1, 2012, in Taichung, Taiwan. Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan, with a thriving cultural scene, friendly people, and beautiful scenery, all of which contribute to its status as an international-class city.
Virtuoso: 'It was better than the best. I was touched'
Xiao-Fang Fu, guqin virtuoso from Taiwan, attends the second performance at Jhungshan Auditorium, on March 28
Xiao-Fang Fu, a popular local guqin virtuoso who has recorded four albums and received multiple awards, was visibly moved by Shen Yun, finding it hard to express the beauty of the performance.
Mrs. Fu explained, “It was better than the best. I was touched. Words could only describe the superficial beauty. … I am lost for words to describe the actual beauty. Each program was magnificent. It was so real that I felt like I was actually in each scene. The dance was very successful in showing the dance form.
“The form of the Chinese dance was elucidated clearly by the Shen Yun dance.”
She remarked that some of the most revered virtues of ancient Chinese culture were perfectly expressed by Shen Yun in an easy to understand manner. “We have all studied history. And the performance was a very authentic presentation,” she said.
Mrs. Fu explained that each program captivated her and deeply touched her. “Without talking, the art of drama was exemplified through dance. It was outstanding.”
The Shen Yun Orchestra particularly caught her attention. “Oh! Wonderful. Truly wonderful. When the thunderous symphony combined with the soothing lute, you felt as if it was talking to you. Everything was exquisite and superb.”
As a professional in string and plucked zithers, Mrs. Fu was completely taken by the erhu solo performance by Xiaochun Qi. “Besides saying I was truly touched, I don’t know what else I could say to compliment [the wonderful performance].”
Mrs. Fu was full of praise for the handmade costumes. “... the main performers [of each program] were visually stunning, with colors that separated them from the others. Whether it was soft grace or strong power, the performance was exquisite, very very exquisite.
“Any further compliment would not be high enough praise to express the wonderfulness I felt,” Mrs. Fu said.
After contemplating, Mrs. Fu commented, “It was like God had descended among us. I felt like I was one of the performers. The dance and I had united as one. This is what I felt, this is exactly what I felt. Upon seeing it for the first time, I simply couldn’t hold back my tears.”
Sculptor: 'Everything was exquisite'
Wen-Wu Li, chairman of The Sculpture Association of Taichung,was among the sell-out audience at the Shen Yun performance, on March 31.
Also in the audience was Wen-Wu Li, chairman of The Sculpture Association of Taichung. He said that Shen Yun “represents true professionals with iconic quality. The successful blend of costumes and the animated backdrop was truly worth seeing.”
Mr. Li had the highest admiration for each and every aspect of the show, including the costumes, the animated backdrops, the live orchestra, and the authentic representation of the 5,000-year Chinese history.
Mr. Li was deeply impressed. “Shen Yun drew on real stories from ancient history. When this was combined with present-day technology, coupled with the union of Western and Eastern instruments in the orchestra, everything was exquisite.”
Mr. Li described his memorable experience watching the dance, “Lotus Leaves.” He said it was “very vivacious, with beautiful costumes mimicking lotus leaves. The colors seen under the stage lights were very bright and well-coordinated, emitting a sense of vastness.”
The synchronicity between the live orchestra and the on-stage performances also touched Mr. Li's heart. “The live performance was superb, with perfect coordination. These performers must have trained very hard to reach such true professionalism.”
He said that Shen Yun had inspired him and that his artistic work would surely be drawing inspiration from the show.
Painter: 'I have found meaning for my recent painting in Shen Yun'
Painter Wen Tsung-Yi attends Shen Yun Performing Arts in Taichung
Another distinguished audience member, painter Wen Tsung-yi, described the dances as “genuinely dazzling.”
Mr. Wen said that, while painting, he found it hard to express the feeling of celestial maidens flying amidst the clouds. But after seeing Shen Yun, he felt he had his answer.
The performance “What is the Meaning of Life?” sung by soprano Chia-Ning Hsu, caused Mr. Wen to reflect.
“To be honest, perhaps it’s coincidental, but I think I have found meaning for my recent painting in Shen Yun’s performance. When we are at the end of our lives, we all try to figure out what the meaning of life is or what we have done with our lives.”
Mr. Wen said that the dance “How the Monkey King Came to Be,” from Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, was a particularly refreshing piece for him.
He said, “The overall visual effect was very well done. The dynamic backdrop seamlessly blends with the artists on stage. It’s unparalleled.
“Shen Yun is able to tell the story in Journey to the West so vividly! The performance is easy to understand. It’s a kind of spiritual level I guess; I was very impressed with the scene when Buddha appeared.”
Mr. Wen appreciated the stunning backdrops and the stories and legends of yesteryear brought to life through music and dance.
“In every piece the landscape background was brilliant, and so are the dances. One can tell that the movements of the dances are specially designed to tell the rich stories.
“The Chinese culture, or I should say folk culture, needs to be passed down as a kind of education so that we can learn so many wonderful things.”
Mr. Wen said that he would most likely see Shen Yun again, “because it’s fantastic!”
Art Executive Producer: Shen Yun 'brings people hope and inspires goodness'
Chen Li-Jen, executive producer of Xaing Yun Art Center, attends Shen Yun in Taichung, on March 28
Chen Li-Jen, executive producer of Xaing Yun Art Center, was also in the audience. She said that Shen Yun “brings people hope and inspires the goodness in them.”
Ms. Chen said she especially appreciated the dance “Snowflakes Welcoming Spring,” in which winter turns into spring and “everything comes alive!” “It’s incredible! It gives one hope.”
She marveled at Shen Yun's ability to condense traditional Chinese folk stories, such as “Crazy Ji Saves the Day,” into short dance programs, which inspire people to be good.
“These are wonderful stories that teach people to be kind. Because of money and personal interests, many people nowadays have forgotten that there is a need for compassion. We need to rediscover our kind hearts quickly,” she said.
Ms. Chen said that Shen Yun is doing a “magnificent thing” in spreading traditional Chinese divine stories to the world. She explained that it was for this reason that she took along a group of elementary students and their parents to see the performance.
“It’s helpful for my students to see “Joyful Little Monks” and other folk and ethnic dances and music. I also want them to see how the music and dances can blend perfectly with the background projection,” said Ms. Chen.
“Art can inspire people to be kind and encourage people to be better. Shen Yun is an eye-opener for my students,” she concluded.
Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/popular-taiwanese-guqin-virtuoso-captived-by-shen-yun-213162.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/taiwanese-sculptor-shen-yun-live-performance-with-perfect-coordination-214097.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/painter-wen-tsung-yi-finds-inspiration-in-shen-yun-212544.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/art-executive-producer-says-shen-yun-brings-hope-213153.html
Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts
