LODZ, Poland—On a serene Tuesday evening, Lodz’s Great Theater hosted the world-traveling Shen Yun Performing Arts, bringing a standing ovation and three curtain calls.
Among the audience were opera singer Andrzej Jurkiewicz and his wife, who also had come to the show the previous year.
“The songs were beautiful,” said tenor Jurkiewicz, referring to the songs sung by Shen Yun soloists. “The sopranos were very gentle and the tenor was very sonorous. During the performance I was near the soloist. I felt like I would have been on the stage. I reveled in the music, colors, richness of the costumes, the scenery, and the geography of China. This performance was very precious and broadened our horizons. It is great that the company visits us. I am very glad that Shen Yun will come next year as well.”
Mr. Jurkiewicz debuted and has been singing at the Great Theater for seven years. Later in his career he sang at opera and operetta theaters in Cracow and later in the National Theater in Warsaw.
In addition to appreciating the beautiful voices of the show, Mr. Jurkiewicz also enjoyed the show overall.
“I’m fascinated, just like the last year,” he said. “I’m happy the show came this year.
“It widened my horizons. I feel Poland has shifted all the way to ancient China—the richness of the dresses, beautiful girls, amazing traditional instruments—anything traditional is beautiful; it enriches us: the back screen, choreography, and music.
“I’m sensitive to the tone of the sound. Yesterday I was practicing my voice in the theater and I heard this music and thought, ‘I have to be here today.’”
Mr. Jurkiewicz and his wife had some emotional moments during parts of the show.
“I have to add here that not only my wife got emotional, but me too,” he said. They were touched about the programs depicting Falun Gong, a traditional spiritual practice that is persecuted in modern China.
“It’s very difficult and heart felt, and we as Polish people feel what Chinese people may be feeling,” said Mrs. Jurkiewicz. “The prohibition of believing in higher values is lamentable. A man should have his heart and soul open, and you can’t deny him something that’s beyond this world. People should believe in compassion and goodness and that’s how they should be to each other. It’s terrible that in China the values are destroyed and prohibited. I watched these two pieces with a heavy heart. We understand, we empathize, and we very, very much support the pursuit of freedom.”
Mrs. Jurkiewicz offered detailed thoughts on Shen Yun in Lodz, which can be read HERE. Mr. Jurkiewicz concluded that he would come again next year.
“I’m happy, just like last year…and this year. I hope they come next year and I will be there for sure.”
At present, Mr. Jurkiewicz sings for a Polish chamber opera. On Saturday, June 19 in Kozienice, he will sing the role Stefan in opera the Haunted Manor (Straszny dwór), by the famous Polish composer Moniuszko.
With reporting by Hanna Szmytko and NTDTV
Shen Yun Performing Arts will present one more show at the Teatr Wiekel/Great Theater on Wednesday, June 16 at 7pm. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Among the audience were opera singer Andrzej Jurkiewicz and his wife, who also had come to the show the previous year.
“The songs were beautiful,” said tenor Jurkiewicz, referring to the songs sung by Shen Yun soloists. “The sopranos were very gentle and the tenor was very sonorous. During the performance I was near the soloist. I felt like I would have been on the stage. I reveled in the music, colors, richness of the costumes, the scenery, and the geography of China. This performance was very precious and broadened our horizons. It is great that the company visits us. I am very glad that Shen Yun will come next year as well.”
Mr. Jurkiewicz debuted and has been singing at the Great Theater for seven years. Later in his career he sang at opera and operetta theaters in Cracow and later in the National Theater in Warsaw.
In addition to appreciating the beautiful voices of the show, Mr. Jurkiewicz also enjoyed the show overall.
“I’m fascinated, just like the last year,” he said. “I’m happy the show came this year.
“It widened my horizons. I feel Poland has shifted all the way to ancient China—the richness of the dresses, beautiful girls, amazing traditional instruments—anything traditional is beautiful; it enriches us: the back screen, choreography, and music.
“I’m sensitive to the tone of the sound. Yesterday I was practicing my voice in the theater and I heard this music and thought, ‘I have to be here today.’”
Mr. Jurkiewicz and his wife had some emotional moments during parts of the show.
“I have to add here that not only my wife got emotional, but me too,” he said. They were touched about the programs depicting Falun Gong, a traditional spiritual practice that is persecuted in modern China.
“It’s very difficult and heart felt, and we as Polish people feel what Chinese people may be feeling,” said Mrs. Jurkiewicz. “The prohibition of believing in higher values is lamentable. A man should have his heart and soul open, and you can’t deny him something that’s beyond this world. People should believe in compassion and goodness and that’s how they should be to each other. It’s terrible that in China the values are destroyed and prohibited. I watched these two pieces with a heavy heart. We understand, we empathize, and we very, very much support the pursuit of freedom.”
Mrs. Jurkiewicz offered detailed thoughts on Shen Yun in Lodz, which can be read HERE. Mr. Jurkiewicz concluded that he would come again next year.
“I’m happy, just like last year…and this year. I hope they come next year and I will be there for sure.”
At present, Mr. Jurkiewicz sings for a Polish chamber opera. On Saturday, June 19 in Kozienice, he will sing the role Stefan in opera the Haunted Manor (Straszny dwór), by the famous Polish composer Moniuszko.
With reporting by Hanna Szmytko and NTDTV
Shen Yun Performing Arts will present one more show at the Teatr Wiekel/Great Theater on Wednesday, June 16 at 7pm. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
