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Dresden, the former royal residency of the Kings of Saxony, was famous for its artistic splendor and culture, which sadly was destroyed at the end of World War II.
Dresden's Kulturpalast (culture palace), a modern building which opened its doors in 1969, hosted the New York-based Shen Yun opening show on April 14 before a full house.
The artists were honored with frequent applause throughout the show, a standing ovation at the end and three curtain calls.
The Shen Yun advertisements and fliers promised stories from ancient and modern China, many handed down through folklore, performed by artists that have been traveling the world as they wish to breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture.
An excited audience waited patiently for the first curtain to be drawn, hoping that the promised stories would unfold before their eyes.
When they heard the first tone coming from the musicians of the Shen Yun Touring Company Orchestra, it was different to what they were used to. Many remembered that the musicians played Eastern and Western instruments and enjoyed the new sound quality which could be heard throughout the performance.
Besides enjoying the orchestra, the audience was enthralled by the state-of-the-art backdrop which displayed digital pictures of China's landscapes with each scene giving the feeling of being inside China.
Alexej Zich, marketing manager from Indivdoo, and his wife Inga, a fashion designer, attended the Shen Yun show.
"This inner joy, this expression of inner beauty is just wonderful. I was trying to find someone to tell them of the beauty of the Shen Yun show," said Mr. Zich.
His wife was in full agreement, adding, "I also enjoyed the show very much. To achieve the color combination in the costumes is very difficult, and producing these unique costumes is not that easy."
André Flämig, owner of a business in Dresden and his friend Cornelia Franke experienced the show.
"The veil dance [Flowing Silk] and the dancers gliding movement were marvelous," said Ms. Franke, wondering if there was some mechanism which helped such movement along.
In the Flowing Silk dance, one sees silken sleeves streaming softly through the air, much like ribbons drifting in the breeze. A lighthearted melody complements the young maiden's soft smiles and spins. Dances such as this, with what Chinese call "water sleeves", are a favorite in classical Chinese dance. The sleeves' patterns conjure an image of rippling water.
With reporting by Alexander N. Hamrle.
The next stop of the Shen Yun Performing Arts European 2010 World Tour is Vienna Austria, where the Shen Yun artists will perform at the Stadthalle Vienna in Hall F on April 17 at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
