VIENNA—Gerald Schmickl, senior editor at a Vienna newspaper and Agnes Muthsam, a senior Austrian government employee were among the audience at the Wiener Stadthalle looking eagerly forward to seeing the Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company show.
Both Mr. Schmickl and Ms. Muthsam had been promised from advertisement and fliers that the New York-based company would bring a spectacular classical Chinese dance and music presentation to Vienna.
They both looked forward to learning more about China’s 5,000-year history, past and present, portrayed through tales handed down in legends, folktales, ethnic traditions, and stories of outstanding courage.
“I had no clue what to expect and didn’t try to prepare myself or read-up about Chinese culture,” said Ms. Muthsam. “It was something I had never seen before. But, then I just enjoyed each moment and let go of any thought.”
She found pleasure watching the variety of programs presented on stage by gorgeously costumed artists.
“I definitely will watch the show again next year. It was acrobatic, very agile and aesthetic,” she said.
The backdrop, with its ever-changing pictures, complemented different scenes adding a sense of authenticity, Ms. Muthsam said.
“The projections on the backdrop just belonged there. One just can’t imagine the performance without that. It was beautiful and unique, especially when one saw figures coming down on the backdrop and then they suddenly appeared on stage.
“Everything was so well coordinated, the picture, the performance and the music. Also everything was so colorful and I was smitten by the dances.”
Mr. Schmickl said, “As I’m quite interested in Chinese culture and tradition it was fantastic to be confronted with that in such a beautiful form.
“It was very nice, a little playful and at times humorous,” he said, astonished by the action-packed performance.
“At one time I noticed that even when one didn’t look at the backdrop, one saw movement there. There was movement everywhere. This is what I found so relaxing.”
Reflecting more, he continued, “Actually there were three different parts. First the music, which was very impressive in my opinion. Then, there was the stage and after that the dancing that in reality was the third part that opened up.”
He felt that the show “was vivacious and alive.”
Reporting by Nina Hamrle, Rosemarie Fruehauf and Heide B. Malhotra
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts will continue to Bratislava, Slovakia for two shows on May 7-8. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Both Mr. Schmickl and Ms. Muthsam had been promised from advertisement and fliers that the New York-based company would bring a spectacular classical Chinese dance and music presentation to Vienna.
They both looked forward to learning more about China’s 5,000-year history, past and present, portrayed through tales handed down in legends, folktales, ethnic traditions, and stories of outstanding courage.
“I had no clue what to expect and didn’t try to prepare myself or read-up about Chinese culture,” said Ms. Muthsam. “It was something I had never seen before. But, then I just enjoyed each moment and let go of any thought.”
She found pleasure watching the variety of programs presented on stage by gorgeously costumed artists.
“I definitely will watch the show again next year. It was acrobatic, very agile and aesthetic,” she said.
The backdrop, with its ever-changing pictures, complemented different scenes adding a sense of authenticity, Ms. Muthsam said.
“The projections on the backdrop just belonged there. One just can’t imagine the performance without that. It was beautiful and unique, especially when one saw figures coming down on the backdrop and then they suddenly appeared on stage.
“Everything was so well coordinated, the picture, the performance and the music. Also everything was so colorful and I was smitten by the dances.”
Mr. Schmickl said, “As I’m quite interested in Chinese culture and tradition it was fantastic to be confronted with that in such a beautiful form.
“It was very nice, a little playful and at times humorous,” he said, astonished by the action-packed performance.
“At one time I noticed that even when one didn’t look at the backdrop, one saw movement there. There was movement everywhere. This is what I found so relaxing.”
Reflecting more, he continued, “Actually there were three different parts. First the music, which was very impressive in my opinion. Then, there was the stage and after that the dancing that in reality was the third part that opened up.”
He felt that the show “was vivacious and alive.”
Reporting by Nina Hamrle, Rosemarie Fruehauf and Heide B. Malhotra
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts will continue to Bratislava, Slovakia for two shows on May 7-8. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
