BOSTON—Just a week after Boston’s “First Night” celebrations ushered in the new decade, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to the Opera House on Friday for the first of four shows this weekend, Jan. 8–10. After a few sputtering snow showers, the weather cooperated for the fifth annual visit to Boston by the premier classical Chinese dance and music company.
During intermission, Robert, an executive in the biotech industry, read about the show in the newspaper. “It’s very interesting. I’m not from a Chinese background. It’s interesting for me to see the different form of art and hear the music. I’m enjoying it very much.”
“I would encourage people who don’t know much about Chinese culture to come out and see it. Very entertaining,” he said.
Eve, who calls herself “a professional volunteer,” said, “It’s interesting. … I loved the archers [in the dance Imperial Archers]. The costumes are fantastic!”
Walter, a computer operator from Winthrop, Mass., said he was enjoying the show. “I’ve never seen a performance like this at all.” He said he just came into town this afternoon and bought his ticket shortly before the show.
Sean, a graduate student, saw the posters around town and read about the show online. “I love it, I’m not familiar with any of this stuff,” he said. He has a girl friend who lived in New York, whose family is Chinese. He said he will be going to the Shen Yun show at Radio City Music Hall next month, over the Chinese New Year.
The nonprofit Shen Yun Performing Arts, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, has a mission to “revive the true, five-millennia-old artistic tradition of China that thrived before decades of suppression by the Chinese communist state,” says the Shen Yun website.
According to the Web site, “the company’s rich repertory breaks new ground by focusing on the authentic cultural heritage of classical China while also giving artistic treatment to the world around us.”
Shen Yun began its 2010 World Tour in December and is planning over 400 shows on four continents. It consists of three touring companies, each complete with an orchestra. While one group—the Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company—was performing in Boston, shows were happening at major venues in California and Ontario, Canada, as well.
With reporting by Suman Srinivasan.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
During intermission, Robert, an executive in the biotech industry, read about the show in the newspaper. “It’s very interesting. I’m not from a Chinese background. It’s interesting for me to see the different form of art and hear the music. I’m enjoying it very much.”
“I would encourage people who don’t know much about Chinese culture to come out and see it. Very entertaining,” he said.
Eve, who calls herself “a professional volunteer,” said, “It’s interesting. … I loved the archers [in the dance Imperial Archers]. The costumes are fantastic!”
Walter, a computer operator from Winthrop, Mass., said he was enjoying the show. “I’ve never seen a performance like this at all.” He said he just came into town this afternoon and bought his ticket shortly before the show.
Sean, a graduate student, saw the posters around town and read about the show online. “I love it, I’m not familiar with any of this stuff,” he said. He has a girl friend who lived in New York, whose family is Chinese. He said he will be going to the Shen Yun show at Radio City Music Hall next month, over the Chinese New Year.
The nonprofit Shen Yun Performing Arts, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, has a mission to “revive the true, five-millennia-old artistic tradition of China that thrived before decades of suppression by the Chinese communist state,” says the Shen Yun website.
According to the Web site, “the company’s rich repertory breaks new ground by focusing on the authentic cultural heritage of classical China while also giving artistic treatment to the world around us.”
Shen Yun began its 2010 World Tour in December and is planning over 400 shows on four continents. It consists of three touring companies, each complete with an orchestra. While one group—the Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company—was performing in Boston, shows were happening at major venues in California and Ontario, Canada, as well.
With reporting by Suman Srinivasan.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
