ST. LOUIS—Divine Performing Arts (DPA) brought the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis alive with the sights and sounds of ancient China on Saturday.
Among the delighted audience was Dr. Herath, a psychiatrist.
“I loved [the show], it was most extravagant,” he said, adding that the soprano, Pi-ju Huang, almost moved him to tears.
“The soprano was wonderful, she was just excellent”
The DPA vocal soloists are elite singers who perform throughout the year on many of the world’s great stages during the DPA global tour.
Dr. Herath also said that he “really loved” a piece called Dragon Springs Drummers, which portrays the spirit of China’s indigenous folk culture and features octagonal drums and colorful traditional costumes.
“I liked the string arrangements, the drumming is just marvelous, and that flute!” he added.
Coming from a Buddhist background, Dr. Herath enjoyed the spiritual essence embodied in the show that was part and parcel of the true Chinese culture.
“I feel that the Chinese culture is very close to the spiritual life which is more than we seem to be in general. It is much deeper than what meets the eye.”
Mrs. Herath, a dancer who both performs and teaches, was especially impressed by the DPA dancers. Being a dancer herself, she said she would “love to join them” onstage.
“I loved the movements, especially the leg movements, and watching that, I also learned some steps with their body movements and their hand movements.”
Her favourite pieces were a classic Tibetan dance called, Dance of the Snowcapped Mountain and Flowing Sleeves.
“It reminded me of butterflies during springtime, and also of the soft petals of the flowers falling from the trees. I really like that.”
Commenting on the spiritual aspect of the show, Mrs. Herath said that “everything happens according to the karma we have done.”
Dr. Herath intends to tell his friends about the show. He thinks it would do well in his home country, Sri Lanka, where people love cultural shows.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
For more information please visit DivinePerformingArts.org
