SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 13. Joe and Linda Tedesco, who were in the audience, said they thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
Mr. Tedesco, a librarian, was drawn to the music and storytelling that provided an immersion in traditional Chinese culture. “The music is beautiful, and [so is] the storytelling.”
“I really enjoy how they believe people originally came from the divine. Very inspiring. Very inspiring. The ‘Bodhisattva of Compassion’ coming in and helping the Monkey King—beautiful,” he said.
Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing with the world the beauty of China’s authentic 5,000 years of history, much of which has been lost or destroyed in mainland China since communism’s destruction of the “old ways.”
Mr. Tedesco appreciated the wisdom that comes from all cultures and enjoyed the Chinese culture presented in Shen Yun. “I just love the costumes and the beauty, the colors and the storytelling, and just sharing the cultural wisdom [from] throughout history.”
The message of hope sung by the vocalist impressed Mrs. Tedesco. “I like the message of hope,” she said. “The song that they sang was beautiful: Not to give up, to keep your divinity, to have hope.”
Shen Yun’s orchestra seamlessly marries a Western orchestra with traditional Chinese instruments.
Mrs. Tedesco noticed this and expressed her appreciation. “And to see the live music: It’s actual players. I thought it was a recording. I didn’t know it was actual players—it’s really neat,” she said.Shen Yun is ‘Very Moving’
Retired principal and teacher Loveada Escamilla said she “thought it was amazing. I liked the messages that it sent out: Just being positive, working with people, having God in your heart—just all of that. It was very moving, very moving.”
The two-string erhu, a Chinese instrument, impressed Ms. Escamilla. “I loved the [erhu]. That was amazing. I had never seen that before.”
Shen Yun not only entertains but educates, Ms. Escamilla found. “Not only for adults but for young children,” she said, adding that its message of hope and faith in a higher compassionate power is “definitely” very relevant for the world today.
“The way that the world is going right now … We need to have unity, not only in our country but in the world. And we don’t have that right now,” she said.
Ms. Escamilla said that Shen Yun’s performance can inspire people to be good.
“If people come and really pay attention, and not just look at the beauty, but really listen and pay attention to what is being presented, yes!” she said.
