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Guy Leclair, who represents Beauharnois in the National Assembly of Quebec, took in Shen Yun Performing Arts all-new 2012 performance at Place des Arts on Thursday. (NTD Television)
MONTREAL—When Guy Leclair, who represents Beauharnois in the National Assembly of Quebec as a member of the Parti Québécois, got tickets to Shen Yun Performing Arts’ opening show at Place Des Arts on Thursday night, he didn’t know what exactly was about to unfold.
“I had no great expectations other than what I had seen in pamphlets—all the colours. But to see it in action, I think it’s very impressive. And especially to see the people, perfection, and the accuracy—it’s very impressive. I was also surprised to have live music with the orchestra, which was fabulous. I tip my hat to these people,” he said.
“I loved this show. I can see this is very high quality. I think nothing was left out in this show. Everything was perfect,” he added.
“It is an honour to come and see it. I think it’s good for everyone to come see the show, it is worth the trip.”
Mr. Leclair is currently the critic of consumer protection. He’s also owned two businesses, Araignée spécialité enr and Dis3busion enr. In 2008 he was the vice-president, Fondation de la paroisse Immaculée-Conception-de-Bellerive, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and a municipal councillor for the Georges-Leduc district, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
He said Shen Yun’s orchestra was the first he’d heard that combined classical Western and Eastern instruments, and that the bel canto soloists were very good.
“The music is excellent, it was wonderful to hear. It was sweet after a hectic holiday season. I think it was a nice relaxing evening for both the eyes and ears.”
“It’s a wonderful, refreshing scene. Such beautiful colours, and a very professional show…. I recommend it to all people who have the chance to come see it.”
“Each performance was exciting and impressive.”
He said he especially enjoyed Snow Flakes Welcoming Spring, in which the dancers spin, twirl, and toss handkerchiefs in a dazzling folk dance from northeastern China.
But it was the colours of Shen Yun that he returned to again and again, referring to the hundreds of bright costumes and dozens of backdrops.
“These colours are so amazing. In winter, we are usually inside. We arrive here and it’s beautiful, the colours are vibrant, so it’s interesting to see.”
Shen Yun stages large-scale, intricately choreographed performances of classical Chinese dance as well as some ethnic dances from China’s diverse regions and folk dances from the dominant Han ethnicity. The dancers are accompanied by a live orchestra and animated digital projections on the backdrop behind them.
New York-based Shen Yun is on a mission to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture, a heritage almost extinct after six decades of communist rule that included an approximately 10-year campaign—the Cultural Revolution—to destroy all traditional culture.
Mr. Leclair said Shen Yun’s portrayal of Chinese history and culture was instructive and added to the show.
“We went through the ages. I’m not an expert in Chinese history, but I believe that by coming to see shows like this we learn.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Matthew Little.
Shen Yun has three equally large companies touring the world with an all-new program each year. Each company has its own orchestra and vocal soloists. Shen Yun’s International Company will be in Montreal until January 8 and then continue on to Kitchener, Ont.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
