NEW YORK—The unchallenged gem of the Chinese cultural renaissance, the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor, came to New York’s Radio City Music Hall for four shows this weekend, touching the hearts of theater-goers and leaving them wanting more.
“I think it was extraordinary, very extraordinary,” said Mr. Rowe, a former Ambassador who attended the Splendor on Sunday, Jan 25.
Mr. Rowe spoke with The Epoch Times after the first half. “I really enjoyed [it]… I’m waiting for the second half. Extraordinary, I really enjoyed it. “
Mr. Rowe also brought his wife. “It’s my wife’s birthday this week, so this is part of her birthday present, but I also enjoy it.” He and his wife are both artists, too; she is a performing artist.
With internationally acclaimed dancers, singers, and designers and orchestra, many people have commented on their extraordinary experiences. The Divine Performing Arts seeks to present works of “consummate beauty and goodness” and to revive the authentic Chinese culture that was nearly lost after six decades of repression by the Chinese Communist regime.
“I think it’s very inspiring,” Mr Rowe continued, “particularly the first part, the classical part of it, I really enjoyed it. The modern story, it’s enjoyable too, but I think the classical part, the music itself is extraordinary and I find it very inspiring and gives some thought on all the “hellabelli” and noisy things in the world. It tells a story. I was in the arts myself and my wife also is a dramatist, so we are in that mold and we really, really, really, really enjoyed it.”
Mr Rowe was hard pressed to decide on his favorite aspect thus far. “I mean, the whole thing …. First of all, the soprano lady who sang, [Pi-Ju Huang Hesitate No Longer] I mean she had an extraordinary voice. In fact I was just telling my wife, the distance between her and the microphone and she carried her voice which was rich and got you really thinking. I wish we could have had some more from her. So I am looking forward to the second half.”
Mr. Rowe gave us his artistic opinion of the stories presented in the Splendor. “Well, like any artistic work, you blend a story, a history of a people, the culture, into the art form, whether that’s music or dance, and you expect the audience to pick it up. I mean different people will see or feel, different feelings but there was one common thread which I think goes through which I’m sure that all the people in the audience would appreciate. I mean each one tells a story. You don’t have to … there was no speaking, it was all dance and music, and you have to get a message—each one carried a message.
“The commentary given by the gentleman and the lady to tell the story, that’s a guide. But even if there was no guide, just listening to the music and watching it you will feel a story. [There’s] something that its trying to tell you. Particularly the second part, the modern part, about repression and all the rest. I mean you didn’t have to explain, you could see it, and I think the audience reacted beautifully to that.”
About the uniqueness of this theatrical and cultural experience, Mr. Rowe said, “Well, performances, there are some common denominators, but I think this is typical Chinese. It is a Chinese culture and really it is different from other cultures. I mean, there are certain commonalities which you could see. And I enjoyed also the background, the theatrical background which was really—well, attractive ... and I think they of course made use of modern technology which helps to enhance the story and the message that you want to carry in the art work.”
Original artwork for each performance is displayed in full-length projections depicting fantastic natural landscapes, ancient architecture, and cosmic bodies.
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
With reporting by NTDTV
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