“I’m still a little bit dreamy because it captivated all my senses. I found it very beautiful, such a completely different world, very aesthetic, very colorful. The music and the orchestra were wonderful,” Ila Schöppe, a theater director and actress, said.
Clarissa Schöppe, a singer and songwriter, said, “It was very, very beautiful, very inspiring, beautiful pictures. The music, the sounds, all in all simply really beautiful.”
Marusha Gleiß, a music producer, said, “I was deeply moved from the very beginning. It was incredibly entertaining and vibrant. I’m constantly amazed by the body control the dancers have, how one can dance so synchronously. I loved the colors and also the playful background with all the animations.
“I love classical music, even though I come from a completely different genre. I especially loved the interplay with the opera singer and the pianist. But also in the orchestra pit, they all played so wonderfully, and the synchronicity with the dancers was superb,” Ms. Gleiß said.
Axel Kappeler, a business consultant, said, “I’ve been practicing martial arts for many decades and found much of that here. I found it harmonious, coordinated, and incomparable. The sheer number of jumps alone, most people have no idea what a strain that puts on the body. It’s unique, without a doubt. Everyone should see it.
“And what I really liked was the way philosophy was conveyed. I wonder if most people have ever actually encountered it in this way. And that, I believe, is where the true value of it all lies—the attempt to convey the philosophy of ethics. Many can practice martial arts or dance. But conveying what one truly means by it, that was very well put into words, I really liked that.”
“This is something truly significant, and it’s a shame that China itself downplays it so much. China doesn’t need to do that, strictly speaking. Political systems come and go. But ultimately, we’re also at a point where many things are changing. And I think China will be affected by this change as well. We’re returning to our roots, and that’s essentially both the beginning and the end,” Mr. Kappeler said.
Mr. Kappeler added, “When I saw the presentation, especially the last part, I had the feeling with those powerful images that reminded us of things that happened at the beginning of this century, that there was actually a much deeper message there. Nature is something that is a part of us, and we don’t take care of it. We don’t even care about each other. You can see that today with what’s happening in politics. And I think the core lesson is really that we need to come together again, learn to interact with each other, and understand that someone else has a different opinion but isn’t necessarily opposed to anything. It’s all about consciousness. And in China, this was elevated to a very high level at that time. The Chinese were much, much deeper into it than we here can probably ever grasp. So, these teachings should really be disseminated much more intensively.”
The positive messages conveyed in the performances, along with their spiritual depth, resonated with audience members.
“I would say this performance serves as a reminder of general humanity. And we all need to constantly remind ourselves of that, look inward, and simply know that love always triumphs,” Clarissa Schöppe said.
Mr. Kappeler said, “And when you look at the ancient teachings of the world, including those of China, you find the same core principles in all the ancient philosophies. And these principles have been wonderfully distilled into just a few sentences here, no rambling, no pseudo-intellectual know-it-all attitude. It simply gets to the heart of the matter. We must rediscover ourselves, ground ourselves, and do from within ourselves what is necessary to find ourselves.”
Shen Yun simultaneously tours the world with eight different companies, bringing a completely new program each year.
Mr. Kappeler said, “When someone stays positive and maintains that positivity, they'll eventually inspire others. And when eight groups do this intensively, it will definitely have an effect.”
“If you want to immerse yourself in a completely different world, this is definitely the right place to come. But also to reflect, to revive all your senses,” Ms. Schöppe, the theater director and actress, said.
Ms. Schöppe, the singer and songwriter, said, “It really does awaken all your senses, from the music, the aesthetics, the dance, and the interplay between them. You’re also amazed by the stage technology. It was all wonderful.”
“Definitely go see it, if you get the chance. I was so glad it came to Berlin. I jumped at the chance, and as you can see, it’s sold out. So, buy your tickets quickly, go and let yourself be swept away, and see the colors and especially this. I can’t even find the words, how best to describe it. This [is] perfection. It’s amazing,” Ms. Gleiß said.
