NEW YORK—January 31 was a night graced with good fortune as the two Divine Performing Arts companies on tour in the United States and Canada reunited with the Divine Performing Arts Orchestra for their second performance of Chinese New Year Splendor at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Meanwhile, renowned vocalist professor Gao Weiliang also enjoyed a chance reunion with her good friend Zhao Peiwen, a professor at The Juilliard School, a New York school for the performing arts, outside the show.
After the performance, Professor Zhao felt that Chinese New Year Splendor showcased the flavor of traditional Chinese culture to Westerners in a way that has never been seen before. Zhao also felt that only when someone develops a style that is unique to the Chinese people that it could have the ability to move people's hearts. "The two Tang drum performances, the 'Water Sleeves' dance and the symbolism of water in the 'Nymphs of the Sea' dance were very creative." Zhao also commented that she felt the 'Water Sleeves' dance completely captured the tenderness and patience of traditional Chinese women.
Professor Zhao lamented that the Tang Dynasty's peaceful and prosperous times have been lost to history. She also felt that 90 percent of today's China is living without dignity. Zhao hopes that more of the ancient culture can be displayed in the future, "Tell the Westerners that China is a large country with a long history of civilization, but during the last few decades traditional Chinese culture has been completely ruined. Today, all our efforts are to revive our ancient history."
Ms. Zhao said she felt that the programs which depicted the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners were not enough. Zhao felt that since the persecution is not something of the past, while Falun Gong practitioners are currently suffering in mainland China, live picture would be more suitable backdrops than the background scenery with traditional Chinese painting techniques to accurately depict the present-day persecution.
Zhao feels that since art stems from life yet surpasses life, there are many cruel and heartbreaking photos of the persecution that can be projected as the backdrop one by one. "People come from far away to see things that they normally can't feel. There was much beauty displayed throughout tonight's performance, but the gravity of the persecution against Falun Gong was not displayed strongly enough." said Zhao.
The Chinese New Year Splendor continues in New York through Saturday, Feb. 9.
For other shows in the Divine Performing Arts world tour, please visit: http://www.DivinePerformingArts.org/
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese New Year Splendor.
Feeds