CALGARY, Alberta—“I think it’s brilliant,” said Mrs. Davenport, describing the Shen Yun performance she attended at Calgary’s Jubilee Auditorium with her husband on Easter Sunday.
A bassoonist with a symphony orchestra, Mrs. Davenport showed great appreciation for the Shen Yun orchestra, unique in that it combines Eastern instruments such as the pipa and erhu with Western instruments like the cello and trumpet.
“I am surprised how Western it is in sound. It’s very good because it is comprehensible to us. … The music makes sense, the form as much as the harmony. The form makes sense to us,” said Mrs. Davenport.
Both enjoyed classical Chinese dance, the centerpiece of the show and an art form that dates back 5,000 years to the beginning of China’s history. In lavish fashion, the performance is packed with color and exciting programs such as Dragon Springs Drummers, in which the dancers showcase tumbling techniques and acrobatic skills.
“The drumming is spectacular. I really enjoyed that. And the dancing too—it’s splendid, really good,” said Mr. Davenport, a geologist.
“The agility is phenomenal. The costumes are really amazing. It’s extremely well done,” added Mrs. Davenport.
“I think the use of modern media is very interesting. It really, really works” she said, referring to the state of the art digital backdrops that add depth and context to the performances.
New York-based Shen Yun seeks to revive the best of China’s rich cultural heritage by promoting traditional values and culture through song, dance, and music. Much of the traditional culture has been suppressed or lost under communist rule.
“It’s very interesting. It’s not something we are taught to think of as a Chinese element. We are used to thinking of communism only, so it is very interesting to see this,” Mrs. Davenport said.
After Calgary, Shen Yun will perform in Edmonton on April 15 and April 16 and in Regina on April 19.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Friends Read Free