DALLAS—Dr. Jennifer Ciobanu, a classical singer with a doctorate in vocal performance, was enamored with Shen Yun Performing Arts’ vocalists, whom she heard at the Sunday matinee at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Dec. 18.
“I think that the singers are beautiful. It is particularly difficult to sing so far away from the pianist, but the pianist and the singer, the ensemble between the two, was right on. Because the pianist was watching the singer ... they (performed) together perfectly,” Dr. Ciobanu said.
“I’m not exposed to a lot of Chinese music so it was really lovely to hear that.”
Dr. Ciobanu, who has spent considerable time studying Italian repertoire, said the vocalists’ powerful voices filled the house.
“The soprano had a beautiful sound. Clear, beautiful, the vibrato was nice and even,” Dr. Ciobanu said.
Dr. Ciobanu attended the performance with Redon Forest, a former pianist, who loved “everything about it.”
“The orchestra, the costumes are the best, the most beautiful we’ve ever seen,” Ms. Forest said. “It’s just perfect.”
Dr. Ciobanu agreed, and commented on the Shen Yun Orchestra, which is unique in its blend of Chinese and Western instruments.
“The music at one point was so perfectly unified with the dance I just forgot I was listening to an orchestra. It was such a part of everything. And then I noticed—oh wow, that’s a live orchestra, that’s live music. It’s very beautiful, we’re very happy. It’s stunning,” Dr. Ciobanu said.
Ms. Forest added that the performance made her feel “just peaceful, happy.”
With reporting by Sherry Dong and Damian Robin.
Shen Yun will next perform at Jones Hall, Houston, from Wednesday Dec.21 through Tuesday, Dec.27. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
