MINNEAPOLIS—“I’m glad they brought their show here to Minneapolis,” said retired physician and former business owner, Gary Glomstad, who was among the happy attendees at the performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York company.
“It’s very, very entertaining. I’m glad we came,” said Mr. Glomstad, attending with his wife on Feb. 22, at Minneapolis’s Orpheum Theatre.
“I’m starting to learn a little bit about the Chinese culture,” he said.
New York-based Shen Yun is reviving 5,000 years of divinely inspired dance, principally through the vehicle of classical Chinese dance.
Mrs. Glomstad said she understood that the company wants to bring traditional Chinese culture “back so we can understand it, to keep it alive for the present age.”
Of the many short dances that bring Chinese culture to life, Mr. Glomstad enjoyed [b]When Shaolin Monks Protected the Emperor[b]. He liked the dynamic dancing of the male dancers and the tumbling, leaps and aerial moves he saw.
Classical Chinese dance contains many difficult techniques, along its a very expressive quality.
Accompanying the dances is a full orchestra, composing of both Western and Eastern instruments. In addition, world-class vocalists sing in the Italian bel canto style with Chinese lyrics. The lyrics are translated on a screen behind the singers.
“I enjoyed the opera singers and the tenor. I enjoy music so it was fun to hear them sing,” Mrs. Glomstad said.
Mr. Glomstad, who has studied Chinese culture, related that, despite his knowledge, he was very impressed.”
Reporting by Stacey Tang and Sharon Kilarski.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35
countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
