VIENNA—Oliver Stadlbauer, a freelance journalist and fan of Chinese history and culture, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company’s performance at the Wiener Stadthalle on May 1.
He was impressed with Shen Yun and enjoyed the Sunday evening performance. He said that the show exceeded all his expectations.
“I was prepared to enjoy an interesting and diverse evening, but had not expected to be treated to classical Chinese dance, presented with such perfection and in combination with impressive motifs,” Mr. Stadlbauer said.
“Enthusiasm was shown by the audience and I am in total agreement with their reaction. The show is a hit with the Vienna public, and its musical framework is worthy of Vienna’s music culture,” he added.
But, he is certain that one doesn’t have to be a fan of Chinese culture or be familiar with day-to-day life in China to appreciate the Shen Yun performance.
“The show is simply and profoundly impressive. The costumes are amazing; and thrown in with the stage props and backdrops, added to the dances and the music—simply superb! A crowning achievement,” he said.
Three scenes were most memorable for him. Min Nan’s Grace, where on the sparkling shores of the South China Sea, a group of girls in bamboo hats gather to enjoy the sunshine. At once both playful and shy, the girls frolic nimbly by the waves.
Plum Blossom, equally memorable, displays the delicate flower’s resilience amidst adversity, blooming even in snow, offering an unfailing promise of spring.
However, the scene The Opening of Heaven’s Gates, that mirrors the traditional Chinese thought that good begets good and evil begets evil will forever remain in his mind. He said, “The last scene was hugely impressive—from the costumes to the choreography, and including the overall effect.”
The show was “well done and so very likable and colorful. The entire production left me immensely impressed, including the Chinese cultural references.
“Shen Yun definitely is an introduction to Chinese culture. I will absolutely recommend this show to others. One cannot do anything better than to attend a Shen Yun performance. This show is the quickest way to an introduction to Chinese culture.”
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle and Christina Riveland.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
He was impressed with Shen Yun and enjoyed the Sunday evening performance. He said that the show exceeded all his expectations.
“I was prepared to enjoy an interesting and diverse evening, but had not expected to be treated to classical Chinese dance, presented with such perfection and in combination with impressive motifs,” Mr. Stadlbauer said.
“Enthusiasm was shown by the audience and I am in total agreement with their reaction. The show is a hit with the Vienna public, and its musical framework is worthy of Vienna’s music culture,” he added.
But, he is certain that one doesn’t have to be a fan of Chinese culture or be familiar with day-to-day life in China to appreciate the Shen Yun performance.
“The show is simply and profoundly impressive. The costumes are amazing; and thrown in with the stage props and backdrops, added to the dances and the music—simply superb! A crowning achievement,” he said.
Three scenes were most memorable for him. Min Nan’s Grace, where on the sparkling shores of the South China Sea, a group of girls in bamboo hats gather to enjoy the sunshine. At once both playful and shy, the girls frolic nimbly by the waves.
Plum Blossom, equally memorable, displays the delicate flower’s resilience amidst adversity, blooming even in snow, offering an unfailing promise of spring.
However, the scene The Opening of Heaven’s Gates, that mirrors the traditional Chinese thought that good begets good and evil begets evil will forever remain in his mind. He said, “The last scene was hugely impressive—from the costumes to the choreography, and including the overall effect.”
The show was “well done and so very likable and colorful. The entire production left me immensely impressed, including the Chinese cultural references.
“Shen Yun definitely is an introduction to Chinese culture. I will absolutely recommend this show to others. One cannot do anything better than to attend a Shen Yun performance. This show is the quickest way to an introduction to Chinese culture.”
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle and Christina Riveland.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
