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CLERMONT-FERRAND, France—Two sisters were among the audience at the Maison de la Culture in Clermont-Ferrand, on March 8, seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company’s presentation ancient China’s artistic traditions. Clermont-Ferrand lies on the northern tip of the Massif Central in the Auvergne region of France.
Miriam El Goufi, an administrative assistant who works at the cultural department of Auvergne region Council, and Fatima El Goufi, were enchanted with what they saw.
Shen Yun presents colorful and exhilarating performances of classical Chinese dance and music, including China's numerous ethnic and folk dance styles, solo vocalists and musicians, and boasts a unique orchestra that combines classical Western and Chinese instruments.
Miriam was moved by the powerful music created by the erhu, a two-stringed traditional Chinese instrument.
“This is an instrument we are not used to hearing in France. I really appreciated this music, which was strongly intense. The lady musician was playing wonderfully. That was fabulous. That music really invites us to another atmosphere … old China … something dreamlike.”
Miriam was also impressed by the soprano who performed with piano accompaniment.
“This is the first time I have heard a soprano sing. I first thought it was not my style to listen to opera music, but then it became indescribable. A lot of emotion comes from her voice. It's really impressive, captivating; it made me shiver. I was listening to the voice and I felt all these emotions,” she said.
Fatima commented that the show was a “real treat for the eyes.”
“The costumes are wonderful, magnificent, with really beautiful colors. It could be too much, but it's not too much,” she comments with delight.
“A successful and harmonious blend of modern and very ancient Eastern and Western music. A beautiful harmony in the music and the different scenes,” Fatima said.
Classical Chinese dance is a dance form still mostly new to the West. It carries the essence of Chinese cultural expression in its movements, postures, and aesthetics. In its early years, it was passed down primarily in the imperial court and as part of ancient theatre, the program says.
Fatima appreciated the dance, saying, “The dancing was really minutely precise and harmonious. You didn’t know where to look; the eyes just followed the dancers. It is really well done.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will perform one more show at Clermont-Ferrand, France, at the Maison de la Culture on March 9, and then four shows in Paris, March 11-13. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
