TORONTO–Gregory Lawrie has always loved the opera and the stage.
A former performer with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, Mr. Lawrie was among art lovers that attended Shen Yun’s presentation of classical Chinese music and dance on Saturday evening.
He described the experience as “absolutely perfect.”
“I almost can’t say enough about it,” he said after the Apr. 23 performance at Sony Centre. “It is absolutely wonderful.”
Shen Yun’s musical offerings are highly unique, with a full orchestra that accompanies the story-based classical Chinese dances. The innovative orchestra includes traditional Chinese instruments that lead the melodies, while a Western philharmonic orchestra plays the foundation of the scores, creating a unique sound.
Shen Yun also features solo performances of traditional Chinese instruments, and bel canto operatic performances sung with Chinese lyrics–one of the most difficult styles in the world to master.
Mr. Lawrie was deeply impressed by the talent of the Shen Yun vocalists, and noted most people may not realize that these performers do not use microphones in their performances and rely on their vocal power to reach the back of the 3000-seat venue.
“They’re simply fabulous,” he said, adding their voices were “crystal clear.”
“They have been working on their craft for a long, long time.”
Reflecting on the evening, Mr. Lawrie said the experience of Shen Yun was magical, and hoped to return next year.
Reporting by NTD Television and Justina Wheale
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company is currently touring Eastern Canada. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
