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TAICHUNG, Taiwan—Chuang Bihua, assistant professor of music at Pingtung University of Education, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts (DPA) 2009 World Tour matinee on March 8.
Upon watching the show, Dr. Chuang, who has a doctorate in choir conducting at University of Maryland, said, “The performers touched my heart. Overall, I think they were very dedicated and professional.”
At University of Maryland, she was artistic director and conductor of Women’s Chorus and University Chorale and assistant conductor of Maryland Chorus.
“The soloists were extremely good. The alto and the tenor in particular were superb,” she said.
The alto of Shen Yun International Company, Yang Jiansheng, caught her attention.
“The alto’s voice was controlled very well. The voice was very rich and rare. There are very few people who can reach that range. She was great.
“I think her ability to temper her voice was perfect. It was very steady, and I could see that her foundation is very strong. When she was singing in the lower range, wow! It’s unusual to hear such beautiful voice—an absolutely flawless alto, she’s very admirable. I am so glad that I got to see this performance.
“The male dancer in the program, The Poet’s Vision, acted just right. He really brought out the style and bearing of poet Li Bai being drunk. Overall, the performance was very touching. The facial expressions of theirs were particularly moving. The choreography was fine, such as in the program, Welcoming Spring, when the fans suddenly bloomed into flowers.
“The entire performance, movements, and countenances were all worth studying. The context, message, and essence of the music were delicately conveyed and manifested by dances and facial expressions.”
Lian Ciyu, manager of Taichung Female Choir, who accompanied Dr. Chuang to the show was equally moved.
“In addition to the music and dance, there were also drum and chopstick performances in between. The combination probably made the Chinese traditional culture easier for those people who were unfamiliar with arts to understand."
Ms. Lian has watched numerous performances before, but she said that they presented shows with little variety. “DPA presented many kinds of dances. I think the content was very rich and good. The principal dancers’ gestures and countenances were very beautiful. The show just makes me feel very comfortable now. I was able to learn about so many dances just within two and half hours.”
In terms of costumes, Dr. Chuang managed to answer first.
“Wow! The performers were able to change so quickly. It was surprising and very professional. The overall costume design and the coordination of colors were gorgeous.”
Ms. Lian then said, “The emcees basically introduced the next program for less than thirty seconds, and the costumes and headdresses were already changed. I was amazed. I think they are very well trained and very skilled.
“Also the lights, sound effects, and the order of the music all seemed rather smooth and natural. It was a very comprehensive show.”
The backdrops impressed Dr. Chuang as well. “They were unique. I have never seen such big projection before. They matched harmoniously with the plots, also it was very three-dimensional.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit DivinePerformingArts.org
