Shen Yun Performing Arts have received a warm welcome from Cardiff in anticipation of their performances this week in the Welsh capital.
Many officials, artists, and musicians sent greetings ahead of the company’s debut Shen Yun performances in Wales on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April.
“I am delighted to be able to welcome Shen Yun Divine Performing Arts to Cardiff,” said the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Cardiff. “We are proud that Shen Yun Performing Arts has chosen our city as part of its world tour and we look forward to extending a very warm welcome to Wales and wait with eager anticipation for what I am sure will be a stunning show.”
Lord Cobbold said: “I am one of the lucky ones. I have witnessed a performance of the Shen Yun and it was an experience that I shall always treasure.” Lord Cobbold said he would make the trip from London to Cardiff just to see Shen Yun again.
Wales is known as the “land of song” because of its rich tradition of eisteddfod (formal and informal festivals of literature, music and performance, it literally means “to be sitting together”). Male choirs, traditional instrumentalists, and folk singers are only part of the musical heritage of this lush and ancient country to the west of England.
Cardiff, the capital and cultural heart of Wales, is home to many festivals and concerts, and holds the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World annual competition, a global event for opera enthusiasts.
Siân James, a traditional Welsh folk singer and recording artist, said in an interview with NTDTV: “As somebody who is very interested in culture and traditional music and traditional dance, it is something I really have a very big interest in. It looks so spectacular and beautiful.”
One of the world’s leading operatic tenors, Welshman Dennis O'Neill, said: “I am very excited and honoured that the famous Shen Yun show is coming to Cardiff. Its spectacular has wonderful choreography, music, drama, and costumes.”
After singing, another Welsh musical tradition is the harp, which includes the unique Welsh triple harp.
Robin Huw Bowen, an expert Welsh triple harpist, said in an interview with NTDTV: “I think it is wonderful when anybody in any country today in the world can celebrate itself. I want to share with other people – I do all the time with welsh culture – and I am looking forward so much to seeing Shen Yun coming here to Cardiff in Wales.”
Shen Yun will be performing at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. The centre is home to the national opera, the national orchestra, as well as dance, theatre, and literature companies of Wales.
The Wales Millennium Centre was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in November 2004. It has monumental writing on the front in Welsh and English: “In these stones horizons sing.”
Sean Crowley, Director of Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, extended his greetings to Shen Yun Performing Arts: “I wish Shen Yun all the best in coming to Cardiff at The Wales Millennium Centre. It should be a dazzling insight into classical Chinese culture. I will be there myself as well as my students.”
Dr Norman Biddle, Chairman of the board of Trustees of the Royal West of England Art Academy, wished Shen Yun well in his home city: “I am sure that Shen Yun will have a warm and very friendly Welsh welcome in Cardiff. I am very much looking forward to the show.”
Other notable people who sent their best wishes for the Shen Yun performance in Cardiff were Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Welsh comedienne and actress Dawn French, and Welsh comedian and actor Griff Rhys Jones.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
