SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Professional Athlete and Singer: Shen Yun ‘A Work of Art’

Mar 18, 2026

3/18/2026Updated: 3/19/2026

LOGROÑO, Spain—On the evening of March 13, Shen Yun Performing Arts opened to a full house at the Riojaforum Theatre, where audience members responded with warm applause throughout the performance. Among them was David Rodríguez Rodrigo, a professional athlete and singer, who said he was deeply moved by what he experienced.

“This was truly a feast for both the eyes and the ears. You can tell it’s the result of many years of training. They are true professionals, and this live performance is a work of art worth seeing again,” he said after the performance.

Mr. Rodríguez is a professional canoeist who competes in international events. He is also a singer in one of the most well-known and long-established mixed choirs in the La Rioja region, frequently performing locally.

He shared that this was his second time seeing Shen Yun, saying that he again found it “a delight.” He was especially impressed by the seamless coordination between the performers and orchestra. “Sometimes, you’re watching the show, and when you realize they’re playing live, it’s just sublime,” he said.

Recalling one of the most memorable moments, Mr. Rodríguez pointed to a scene depicting heavenly clouds. “When the sky and clouds appeared, and these wonderful Chinese artists came out dancing, it was very moving,” he said.

He was also deeply touched by the solo performance of the erhu, a traditional Chinese bowed string instrument with only two strings. “I was completely absorbed—I didn’t blink for quite a while because it was so moving. The way she played, with such skill, finesse, and delicacy—I was pleasantly surprised,” he said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, dedicated to reviving 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Each year, the company tours globally with eight equally sized performing groups, presenting audiences with “China before communism.”

Woven into the performance is a striking contrast between traditional Chinese culture and the realities of modern-day China.

Regarding a scene depicting the persecution of people of faith in China, Mr. Rodríguez expressed deep concern. “I think it is extremely serious, because regardless of the time we live in, we all deserve respect as human beings—no matter our culture, skin color, or background. We are all human and deserve respect from one another,” he said.

He went on to highlight the broader themes of the performance, expressing appreciation for Shen Yun’s mission of reviving traditional culture and spirituality. “I think it’s very important. We all have divinity within us; some are awakening, while others are still asleep. It’s about helping one another awaken so we can truly enjoy each day,” he said.

Reflecting further on the messages conveyed on stage, he added, “Overall, it reminds us to take care of our souls. We are here today, and tomorrow we don’t know where we’ll be. So we should cherish every moment of life, because each one is unique and cannot be repeated.”

In closing, Mr. Rodríguez offered heartfelt praise for Shen Yun’s artistic director. “He is divine,” he said. “The show is divine, and he is too, because you can see it carries something very ancient.”

Reporting by Bartolomé Suau 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.