DENVER—Franz and Cara Meier bought themselves tickets to the performance of the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company as a Christmas present to themselves back in Nov. 2012. Finally they experienced the long-awaited Shen Yun performance on Feb. 23 at the Temple Buell Theater.
Franz Meier, founder and vocalist of a German band and his wife, Cara, an elementary school music teacher, also a singer in the same band, were delighted with the show.
Mr. Meier said: “I think it was one of the nicest performances I have seen. I’m not [very] familiar with the Chinese culture … but they have such beautiful things—it’s just incredible. With today’s situation we can’t enjoy more of this, and [the situation that Shen Yun] can’t be performed in China, when it really is Chinese culture, [is] very sad.”
Communist China does not allow Shen Yun even in Hong Kong. And various Chinese consulates have asked theaters in other countries to cancel their Shen Yun performances.
The Meiers rarely go to shows, but the ads on TV and in the Denver Post caught their attention and they were “ready to go” to see Shen Yun.
They both appreciated the singers. Mr. Meier said, “Oh, absolutely beautiful! Beautiful, beautiful!”
Mrs. Meier found them “very fine” and the piano accompaniment “just wonderful.”
All non-Mandarin speaking audience members are very grateful for the translations that appear on the backdrop of these deeply spiritual songs.
Mr. Meier found them very idealistic. He said: “But when you look at today’s world, it is kind of dreamy, you know. Beautiful, beautiful, if you can think yourself into the words and into the meaning of these [songs]. For me, they are very inspiring, very pleasing.”
About the show as a whole, Mrs. Meier said, “You know, it’s very beautiful, very colorful. I think it’s beautiful! It’s wonderful entertainment, and the performers are very, very good.”
Mr. Meier said: “I wish there would be more brought into the world today of … the Chinese culture. I think it goes back thousands of years, and bringing some of this out I think makes a lot more understanding in the world about the Chinese people. Unfortunately, it is not a pleasant time, but it’s always good to see, because I think [Shen Yun] spreads a lot of goodwill and a lot more understanding about the Chinese people.”
The couple was very appreciative of the explanations given by the host and hostess of each dance’s historic and cultural details. “I have not studied the Chinese culture that much, but when they explain it and some of these expressions are representative of that time, I think it’s wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely,” Mr. Meier said.
Many musicians comment on the unusual makeup of the orchestra that is a Western orchestra that includes Chinese instruments that often have solos. “So the orchestra was fantastic. I kept looking at the instruments down there … There was a very interesting instrument right in the middle of the orchestra. I kept hearing this unusual instrument thinking, what is that?” Mrs. Meier said.
The instrument she was referring to is the pipa. ‘For thousands of years, the pipa, or Chinese lute, has reigned as the “king” of Chinese folk instruments. This plucked instrument is often found in the hands of heavenly maidens depicted in traditional paintings,' according to the Shen Yun website.
“And the dancers, I kept watching, thinking, and that was interesting for me. I thought the music was fun. The dancers, the sound effects, and the steps and everything were all together, and I thought, how do they do that?” Mrs. Meier said.
“I found [the music] very, very nice, because it blended in with the dances, and of course if you start thinking, hearing it, and then your mind starts to work, and you see all that, and besides that beautiful background. So you can … immerse yourself in that kind of culture and try to understand it, yes, absolutely,” Mr. Meier said.
The synchronicity of the interactive backdrop, dancers, and orchestra delights and amazes many audiences.
Reporting by Jane Wang and Louise McCoy.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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