DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened at the Detroit Opera House on Feb. 6. Hans Jauer, owner of West Village Interiors in nearby Windsor was there and he was highly impressed with the lavish production.
“I’m visiting here from Canada,” Mr. Jauer said. “I’ve read about it for a while, and this year I really wanted to see this show, and I thought it was spectacular. It was absolutely amazing!”
New York-based Shen Yun is a Chinese dance and music company formed in 2006 whose mission is to revive China’s rich 5,000-year history of culture and tradition—a treasure nearly lost under decades of communist rule.
Shen Yun’s critically acclaimed singers and performers caught Mr. Jauer’s attention.
“I think the skill levels were really high,” he said.
In addition to doing construction and contracting work, Jauer also plays several instruments: guitar, trumpet, bass, and “a little bit of piano.”
“I can appreciate music and what it takes to be refined, in tune, and in time. I thought they were flawless, really. It’s amazing,” he said.
One of Shen Yun’s unique features is its orchestra—a mix of traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa and guzheng, and conventional Western orchestral instruments such as the violin, flute, and oboe.
“I’ve seen a lot of different orchestras. I’ve seen the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, I’ve seen European orchestras, and even here in Detroit, the philharmonic, but I’ve never seen instruments like that combined,” said Mr. Jauer.
The sound that most intrigued Mr. Jauer was the ethereal voice of the Chinese erhu.
“I really appreciate the solo that she played on the two-string instrument. I’ve seen and heard that before but to see it combined with a general orchestra, I think that’s something new. I thought it was remarkable, excellent. Beautiful combination,” he said.
“Everybody should see that.”
Shen Yun embarks on an international tour every year, each time featuring a completely new production.
“I’d like to see what they will do next year,” Mr. Jauer said. “I’m very anxious to see it then.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Conan Milner
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
