BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Among the enthusiastic audience applauding Shen Yun Performing Arts at the packed Auditorio Belgrano on Sunday evening, Ms. Gatto and Ms. Hermida were especially dazzled because as seasoned dancers and dance instructors themselves they knew the caliber of performance being displayed on stage.
“Splendid, just splendid, a very interesting technical display, and fabulous costume designs, a happiness of movement that becomes contagious,” said Ms. Gatto, vice-director of the school of dance at a local university, during the intermission.
“Let’s say that right now I am still with my mouth open, because I think of the amount of time, practice, and preparation to produce this, and to transport this and bring it all the way here. The effort is enormous and oh so valuable, very, very valuable,” she added.
Her friend, Ms. Hermida, was equally impressed. Ms. Hermida retired two years ago after teaching for 39 years at a local dance academy. Knowing the inner workings of dance, it was the choreography that captured her particular attention.
‘A profound cultural inheritance’
“It takes us back to an ancient time of dance, all in a circle, and it plays a lot with colors, with the movements of the garments. The effects allow us to understand the lives of what they are moving, like the flowers, or like a battle,” Ms. Hermida said.
Ms. Gatto agreed. “The beauty that it brings us takes us to a world that is being rescued. It is a world that Westerners do not know profoundly, and what they bring is a present for the eyes, a delight, because it is also telling us—giving us—a profound cultural inheritance.”
Their comments spoke to the essence of what Shen Yun aims to bring to its viewers.
The celebrated international company of dancers, singers, and musicians endeavours to revive the pure beauty and excellencce of authentic traditional Chinese culture.
Through stunning music and dance, it portrays the genuine values, stories, history, and mindsets of ancient China with their emphasis on moral principles and the spiritual search for truth that have tragically eroded over time.
Shen Yun showcases classical Chinese dance, the ethnic and folk dances of China, and trademark story-based dances that dramatically tell the cherished myths and legends of yesteryear as well as heroic, inspiring stories from modern times.
The large group dances are particularly grand in their synchronized patterns.
“The work that they do as a group is beautiful. It keeps one in constant attention,” Ms. Gatto said.
Ms. Hermida brought binoculars but she said she didn’t use them ‘because you could not appreciate the general work, that flexibility. You may lose it if you center only on one figure.”
What’s important, interesting, and attractive is “this total spectacle, on the whole stage. We are fascinated with the color, the movement,” Ms. Hermida said.
Backdrops ‘a grand scenic work’
Ms. Hermida also commented on the breathtaking digital backdrops that add visual depth and coordinate with the costumes, storyline, lighting, and even choreography of each dance.
“It’s a grand scenic work, the live screen backdrop. It takes one back, and at the same time…it presents both parts, the technology of the screen, and the ancient of the choreography,” she said.
Ms. Gatto noticed the footwork that was “so interesting it calls my attention to how they balance and support themselves.” In particular, she said the male dancers “move like reeds [with] that subtle flexibility.”
“We are trained in more than ten years of work and preparation to be able to see this kind of details that the common person would never see,” she said.
Ms. Hermida complimented the master and mistress of ceremony. “The young girl that introduces the acts in such great Spanish and explains to us what we are seeing, and the young Caucasian man, that speaks so well the Chinese language—they give an interesting counterpoint, very attractive.”
Ms. Gatto wanted to invite a group of the young Shen Yun performers to her school to share their experiences with her students.
“Yesterday 14 of our students came and today there has to be like 30 or more, and we are expecting the next presentations so that we can continue to come. So there is a strong recommendation,” she said.
What does Ms. Gatto have to say to all the dancers of the world? “Come and watch it and enjoy with them!”
The New York-based dance company is playing an eleven-show run in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, from Jun 27 to July 5, before traveling to Chile and then back to the Argentine province of Cordoba. This is the first year Shen Yun has come to South America.
Cindy Chan contributed to this article.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
