For those who lived in 1980’s China, nearly everybody knew the name “Guan Guimin” by heart.
Yet, at the peak of his career, tenor Guan moved to the United States, left the entertainment circle and his fans. Thereafter, Guan never made any public appearances for years.
In 2006, it was a pleasant surprise when many heard Guan’s voice again on the stage of Shen Yun Performing Arts, a world-class dance and music company based in New York.
The reason for his coming back to his career has been a mystery to most, but he knows it very well himself.
“Back in mainland China, I brought entertainment to most,” said Guan, after a Shen Yun show in Montréal, Canada, in January. “Yet now, together with Shen Yun’s other programs, my singing can leave the audiences uplifted.”
Shen Yun, a world-touring show, aims to revive the lost portions of China’s 5,000 years of history through classical Chinese dance, 3-D backdrops, handmade costumes, and an orchestra that consists of both Chinese and Western instruments. In 2009 alone, Shen Yun had traveled to over 100 cities on 5 continents.
“This is a miracle. Whenever the curtain is pulled up, all the members of the audience would simultaneously utter ‘Wow.’ Throughout the show, many of them are so touched by the grandeur of Chinese culture that they end up in tears. It’s been like that since Shen Yun’s establishment, said Guan.
“I had performed inside and outside of China [back in the 1980’s], but had never experienced anything close to what I have now.”
At age 66, Guan is very active in Shen Yun. In addition to singing, Guan also serves as one of the associate company managers of Shen Yun. He said that it is all worth it.
“Shen Yun is not like any other Chinese show. The performances orchestrated in mainland China have been hodgepodges of every art form as traditional culture was destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party. Now most of the Chinese shows from China are influenced by Western arts, yet the performers cannot perfect the Western arts as well as the Westerners. I guess that’s why Chinese shows don’t have a very good impression in Westerners’ minds nowadays, he said.
“Shen Yun dug out some of China’s most ancient culture. By following the belief of ancient Chinese people that their culture was passed down by gods, our performances are becoming growingly popular all over the world.”
According to Guan, by bringing a renaissance of Chinese culture to the world, Shen Yun is reviving the morality of mankind.
“This is a huge project. Without morality, even if a person has tons of money, he would not be honorable. I think Shen Yun has the effect of elevating everyone’s morality.”
Guan said that one of the biggest aspects that attracted him to join Shen Yun was the behavior of those who were already in it.
“They all are very aware of their conduct. Their hearts are very pure—all they want to do is put on a good show. Plus, they train very hard every day, sometimes more than 10 hours a day. Along with their solid fundamental skills, their immaculate hearts have brought pure energy that can touch audiences.”
Please see ShenYunPerformingArts.org for more information.
Yet, at the peak of his career, tenor Guan moved to the United States, left the entertainment circle and his fans. Thereafter, Guan never made any public appearances for years.
In 2006, it was a pleasant surprise when many heard Guan’s voice again on the stage of Shen Yun Performing Arts, a world-class dance and music company based in New York.
The reason for his coming back to his career has been a mystery to most, but he knows it very well himself.
“Back in mainland China, I brought entertainment to most,” said Guan, after a Shen Yun show in Montréal, Canada, in January. “Yet now, together with Shen Yun’s other programs, my singing can leave the audiences uplifted.”
Shen Yun, a world-touring show, aims to revive the lost portions of China’s 5,000 years of history through classical Chinese dance, 3-D backdrops, handmade costumes, and an orchestra that consists of both Chinese and Western instruments. In 2009 alone, Shen Yun had traveled to over 100 cities on 5 continents.
“This is a miracle. Whenever the curtain is pulled up, all the members of the audience would simultaneously utter ‘Wow.’ Throughout the show, many of them are so touched by the grandeur of Chinese culture that they end up in tears. It’s been like that since Shen Yun’s establishment, said Guan.
“I had performed inside and outside of China [back in the 1980’s], but had never experienced anything close to what I have now.”
At age 66, Guan is very active in Shen Yun. In addition to singing, Guan also serves as one of the associate company managers of Shen Yun. He said that it is all worth it.
“Shen Yun is not like any other Chinese show. The performances orchestrated in mainland China have been hodgepodges of every art form as traditional culture was destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party. Now most of the Chinese shows from China are influenced by Western arts, yet the performers cannot perfect the Western arts as well as the Westerners. I guess that’s why Chinese shows don’t have a very good impression in Westerners’ minds nowadays, he said.
“Shen Yun dug out some of China’s most ancient culture. By following the belief of ancient Chinese people that their culture was passed down by gods, our performances are becoming growingly popular all over the world.”
According to Guan, by bringing a renaissance of Chinese culture to the world, Shen Yun is reviving the morality of mankind.
“This is a huge project. Without morality, even if a person has tons of money, he would not be honorable. I think Shen Yun has the effect of elevating everyone’s morality.”
Guan said that one of the biggest aspects that attracted him to join Shen Yun was the behavior of those who were already in it.
“They all are very aware of their conduct. Their hearts are very pure—all they want to do is put on a good show. Plus, they train very hard every day, sometimes more than 10 hours a day. Along with their solid fundamental skills, their immaculate hearts have brought pure energy that can touch audiences.”
Please see ShenYunPerformingArts.org for more information.
