LIMOGES, France—When Marine Boustie, a soprano with the Limoges Opera, attended a performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ classical Chinese dance and music with one of her colleagues on March 13, she was pleasantly surprised at every turn and felt completely at ease.
The singer is speaking on her own behalf as well as on behalf of Karine Lenoir, another employee of the Limoges Opera, who is in charge of audience relations.
Between each scene, bilingual presenters briefly introduce the next scene, providing the audience with context and information to help them better appreciate the history and culture portrayed on stage.
Marine Boustie found it “very interesting” that a singer performed a solo between two dance numbers during the first half of the show. She also appreciated the fact that the lyrics, sung in Chinese, were translated on the screen.
“I focused mainly on the lyrics and the overall meaning of the sentences. I thought it was really beautiful and also very original to have a singer perform at that moment. It was really great,” the singer said.
The two employees of the Limoges Opera, who are accustomed to watching ballets, enjoyed discovering classical Chinese dance through Shen Yun, which features a technique very different from what they are used to.
“It’s very airy,” notes Mrs. Lenoir.
“That’s really interesting,” adds Marine Boustie. “Everything about the jumps—including the position of the hands and especially the feet—gives the impression that the dancers are floating, which is truly amazing. We thought it was absolutely beautiful.”
“So it’s really nice because you can just let yourself drift away while watching,” she said.
“This observation echoes what the host explained at the beginning of the show,” Karine Lenoir said.
“The host explained that we would find solace in the show and in our traditions,” she said.
“We’re really relaxed,” Mrs. Boustie admits during intermission. “We’re going to come out feeling very relaxed. We’re going to have a great weekend.”
“Very relaxing,” Mrs. Lenoir explained.
“We’re in the cultural sector too, so this is essential for us, and it’s great to be able to share it this way,” she says. “We’re also thrilled to see so many people here for this show, and I think it’s very important to promote culture—whatever form it takes and wherever it comes from—especially right now. That’s our mission, too, every single day. It’s really great.”
Through their artistic dedication, the performers of Shen Yun demonstrate courage by preserving and sharing a traditional culture rich in spiritual values, while conveying a message of hope, truth, and resilience.
“It is the artist’s role to champion this message; it is universal,” Marine Boustie said. “It is very important not to lose sight of that, and so it is wonderful to see such experienced dancers here in Limoges—far from New York, where the company is based, and also from China.”
“Yes, that’s the artist’s job anyway—to champion this—and that’s a good thing. And I think it’s working, given how large the audience is. It’s enjoyable; it’s great. We have to keep it up,” the soprano encourages.
