Michael Seida, an Austrian singer and gold record winner, said, “A beautiful performance. Graceful, noble, stunning choreography, perfect synchronization, truly unique. I’ve rarely seen anything like this. The orchestra plays wonderfully. The blend and the sound were unique. And the performance truly had an impact.”
“It’s truly impressive. The acrobatic abilities of the bodies, the perfection, the synchronization. I also find the costumes wonderful. Really fantastic,” said Dorothea Auer, a former ambassador and diplomatic adviser. “The colors, and how everything feels soft and flowing, how it’s all designed, almost as if it stirs the air itself. Really wonderful.”
Shen Yun is based in New York, where it was founded in 2006. Their mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music from before communism.
“Personally, I believe there are no coincidences. I believe there is a reason this program returns right now, bringing values, pointing to values, reminding us of values, and encouraging us to bring our own values back into life and into the world. Because we are being called to remember our old values again. And because now is the time to reclaim them,” said Ulrike Rupprecht, an artist manager.
Mr. Seida added that “Money is a strong sign of how people elevate themselves over others, living in other spheres and lacking compassion. Today was a path back to the tradition of compassion. Compassion can be lived at any time, now more than ever.”
Bettina Nagy, an art teacher, said, “I think it is more important than ever. I also hope that one day what is currently not possible may return. I truly hope it can survive abroad and eventually return.”
“We must understand our roots, and traditional culture is essential. Of course, it must evolve as well. But understanding the roots and the stages of development is important to truly understand a culture, and its people,” said Ms. Auer.
“The one where they held up that flag, and people were being tortured. That was quite sad. It really got under my skin,” said Afschin Nourani, a company manager. “What I also regret is that I heard certain pieces, like this opera, are actually not performed in China. I find that extremely unfortunate.”
“It moved me to tears, honestly. It touches me again right away. The more connected you are, no matter which God, it’s not about religion. What matters is the Creator, the universe, the One, however you call it,” said Susane Ohorn, a former actress. “There are so many people, so many different paths, but there is one God, and we all belong to Him. We are all part of Him. Love, and love for God, for art, and for kindness.
