SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Italian Musician Hails Shen Yun’s Perfect Blend of Eastern and Western Instruments

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Italian Musician Hails Shen Yun’s Perfect Blend of Eastern and Western Instruments
Massimo Vivaldi and his daughter, Sara Vivaldi, at the first performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genova, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2026. Giacomo Gallo/The Epoch Times
Epoch Newsroom
Updated:
GENOVA, Italy—On the evening of Feb. 26, the stage of the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa became a gateway between worlds, as Shen Yun Performing Arts presented its first local performance of “China before communism” for the 2026 season. Among those in attendance were Massimo Vivaldi, a performer and conductor at a Genoa music academy, and his daughter Sara Vivaldi.
Mr. Vivaldi expressed particular admiration for Shen Yun’s live orchestra, which seamlessly blends Eastern and Western traditional instruments.

“The Shen Yun orchestra brings together the Western instruments we know so well with ancient Eastern instruments, creating a marvelous fusion of East and West,” Mr. Vivaldi said. “The melodies are extraordinarily beautiful and moving. I truly loved it.”

He noted that the distinctive character of Eastern music was clearly present. “From the very first notes, you are transported into the atmosphere of the East,” he said.

He was especially moved by the erhu, a traditional two-stringed Chinese instrument. “It has such a unique tone—I never imagined I would hear it live,” he said. “Its sound combines elegance and strength in perfect balance. It was deeply touching.”

Similar to the violin, the erhu is a bowed string instrument but has only two strings and no fingerboard. Players must use subtle finger pressure and pinpoint accuracy to create its wide range of expressive tones.

For Mr. Vivaldi, the experience was made even more meaningful because it was a gift from his daughter, who is a social media content creator. With a smile, he said, “It was a truly wonderful gift.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Since its founding in 2006, the company has presented an entirely new program each year, captivating audiences around the world.

Mr. Vivaldi also recalled the powerful moment when the curtain first rose. “It felt like entering another world. The entire performance seemed to suspend time itself—and that sensation stayed with you from beginning to end.”

Ms. Vivaldi was equally impressed, noting that the performance offered not only artistic refinement but a rich emotional journey. “The stage imagery, the colors, the costumes—each element evokes feeling in its own right,” she said.

She reflected on the range of emotions conveyed throughout the evening. “Some pieces fill you with joy; others are simply beautiful and magnificent—like the final piece about redemption. And the dance portraying the bond between mother and son carried an especially powerful emotional impact.”

The mother-and-son story dance Ms. Vivaldi referred to raises awareness of the Chinese communist regime’s ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa, a peaceful meditation practice whose followers strive to live by the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. As with other faiths, Falun Dafa’s theistic beliefs have drawn repression amid the Chinese communist regime’s promotion of atheism.

Beyond its visual and musical splendor, Shen Yun’s presentation of traditional values such as kindness, mutual respect, and tolerance resonated deeply with Ms. Vivaldi. “It’s very important,” she said. “We should all learn about these things because they enrich the human heart.”

In closing, both father and daughter described the evening as a profoundly rewarding experience. “This performance encompasses artistic, spiritual, and historical dimensions,” Mr. Vivaldi said. “It is rich in layers and abundant in meaning. I hope it will continue for many years and carry forward these messages.”

Ms. Vivaldi agreed. “Every effort the Shen Yun artists invest will bear fruit,” she said, “because they awaken such beautiful emotions in people.”

Reporting by Giacomo Gallo and Olivia Li.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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