ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Colleen Alarcon and Julian Alarcon saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 28 at Popejoy Hall.
“It was beautiful. It was a privilege to see it. The dancing and the orchestra and the costumes, it was just a feast for the eyes,” said Ms. Alarcon, a retired Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy.
Shen Yun is based in New York, and its artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“It was very enjoyable. I liked the choreography that they had with the music—the dancing and just the way that they moved so fluidly. It was just amazing just to sit there and watch their performance,” Mr. Alarcon said.
Shen Yun uses Classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern-day persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
“I got emotional from the [dance, ‘The Steadfast Heart,’] and they’re saying that those things are happening right now in China. It’s hard to imagine that,” Mr. Alarcon said.
Shen Yun’s website says, “China was once known as The Land of the Divine.” Throughout the performance, audience members can witness good people receiving blessings and protection from divine powers.
“I think that that’s a beautiful sentiment. I wish everybody could take that on, and I wish everybody could see this. And maybe that could bring people closer. I appreciate all the hard work by the artists to bring that forward,” Ms. Alarcon said.
The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble. One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.
“I really enjoyed the [erhu]. It was just amazing how she was able to get those tunes and sounds out of that instrument. The whole thing was very enjoyable, satisfying, and fulfilling. I’m so happy that we came,” Mr. Alarcon shared.
Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique, and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.
“The two singers that were there, it was just so beautiful, and their voices just carried—projected to the audience,” Mr. Alarcon commented.
