BOSTON—Author and fine arts professor Judith Bookbinder was visually inspired by Shen Yun Performing Arts on Sunday, as she took in the Feb. 10 matinee at the Boston Opera House.
“The visual effects are wonderful,” she said. “The skill of the dancers is wonderful—they’re beautiful to watch, the costumes are beautiful and I love the visual effect of the figures that seem to come from the air and then materialize on stage.”
Ms. Bookbinder, who teaches a variety of courses on the art of 19th and 20th century America and Europe at Boston College, is also the author of two books and has curated several exhibitions at art galleries and museums.
She attended Shen Yun with veterinarian Elizabeth Essex, and said the experience was enchanted.
“I enjoyed lots of aspects of the presentation—the visual aspect and the quality of the dancing is very high,” she said.
The skill is amazing,” added Ms. Essex.
Ms. Bookbinder was impressed with the athleticism of classical Chinese dance, combined with its beauty and grace.
“The skill of the dancers and their movements, their acrobatics and their grace is wonderful to watch,” she said. “It’s very appealing.”
New York-based Shen Yun is a world-renowned classical Chinese dance and music company. Formed in 2006 by overseas Chinese artists, the company aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.
Along with classical Chinese and ethnic or folk dance, Shen Yun also features digitally animated backdrops, vocal soloists, and a philharmonic orchestra incorporating traditional Chinese instruments.
Ms. Essex said it was obvious the artists were passionate about preserving their culture.
“They certainly are involved in what they are performing,” she said, adding the performance taught the audience the “cultural inheritance” of the performers.
Reporting by Huiwen Ji and Justina Wheale.
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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