“It was my first time, and it was absolutely beautiful. I did learn a lot about your history, and I think it was worth it to be here in Ottawa tonight visiting Shen Yun,” Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont said. “The combination of the orchestra, classical music, classical dance, and at the same time, telling us stories that are 5,000 years old ... I think it was something very moving.”
John Paquet, a former executive director at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, said Shen Yun was “mind boggling.”
“I knew it was going to be good, it was better than I ever expected. I didn't want it to end, it was spectacular. A wonderful story, I loved every moment.”
“I'm looking to learn a little bit more, and this has definitely piqued my interest,” MLA of Alberta Eric Bouchard said. “It's like a great insight into learning more about China before communism.”
“The most natural thing in music with instruments is that we're supposed to imitate the voice, so it was really nice to include that,” cellist Joan Harrison said of the performance by the Chinese violin, the erhu. “And the pianist was fabulous, too,” she said.
“The orchestra just sounded natural to me and it sounded beautiful. I wasn't necessarily thinking, oh, it's a Chinese melody with Western instruments. It all just blended and I found it very energetic,” she added.
Mr. Bouchard said, “It’s the first time I've attended an event like this, and the music was incredible. The live orchestra was amazing. Some of the instruments I had never heard of before but the sounds are just amazing.”
Louise Bakke, a director, said her Shen Yun experience was “spectacular.”
“I mean the colors, the acrobatics, the music; everything was just phenomenal. The visual effects, the storyline that went along with it, everything was just a perfect evening. That was my first experience ever seeing Shen Yun and I definitely would enjoy seeing another performance. It was fantastic,” she said.
Shen Yun simultaneously tours the world with eight companies, on a mission to restore China’s ancient heritage through classical Chinese dance, live orchestration, and storytelling. In addition to celebrating China’s cultural legacy, Shen Yun also highlights stories of courage and resistance, shedding light on the ongoing persecution of spiritual believers in modern-day communist China—a key reason that the company is banned from performing there today.
Shuv Majumdar, a Canadian Member of Parliament said, “We value religious freedom in this country. We know that for over a quarter century in Beijing, there's been an attempt to persecute people of all faiths, including the Falun Dafa, and that's wrong. It's about being able to give people the freedom that they deserve, that is inscribed in their heart, to believe what they wish, to thrive in that belief, and to share that in peace with everybody.”
“I understand about spirituality and belief in a higher power, so I think it's great for people to have their beliefs, and I fully support everything that this stands for,” Calgary Cit Councillor Andre Chabot said.
Andrea Hazell, a Member of Provincial Parliament in Scarborough-Guildwood, said “I was blown away—you know, the passion, the energy, the culture. You feel that peace and you feel the love. And especially in today's world right now, we need that peace and that harmony and that love. But the passion, the dancers, the movement, the energy, it's breathtaking. You've got to be here to see it. We cannot put this experience in words.”
Bill Doyle, a regional president for the Retired Teachers of Onatario, said, “It was a very good program, and I really appreciate it. It is fantastic, and I encourage all people to express their talents in whatever way possible. I learned a lot. I learned something about the history of Chinese culture. The experience and the fact that you do a different program each year, it must take a lot of time to prepare and organize it. The people here seem to really enjoy and appreciate what was done tonight.”
“Congratulations to the artists, designers, the musicians,” Mr. Majumdar said. “Congratulations, the kind of work that goes into making such a beautiful production like this was evident today. Stay strong, as there are those who are trying to undo who you are and what you present to the world. Stay strong and continue to be a source of beauty and light in a world that has grave and gathering darkness everywhere. Thank you very much for the work that you've done.”
Shen Yun will continue its tour in the United States, with shows in Chicago, Illinois, Hollywood, California, and Philadelphia from May 3–11.
