MONTREAL—Manlio Del Negro pays a great deal of attention to detail and organization in his work as a lawyer, and he was delighted to see that same level of attention on stage at Shen Yun Performing Arts at Place des Arts on Saturday night.
“The show is really complete. It’s very detailed,” he said, praising the premier classical Chinese dance company’s performance.
“The costumes are beautiful. It’s very well organized,” he added.
New York-based Shen Yun is dedicated to the mission of reviving the traditional Chinese culture that has been all but destroyed under decades of communist rule.
Each year the company produces an all-new program of classical Chinese dance, Chinese ethnic and folk dance, and original songs and musical scores to take on tour around the world.
“I enjoy the silk scarves the most. I love the fluidity of it,” Mr. Del Negro said, referring to one of the dance pieces that featured the Chinese “water sleeves” in its costumes.
Water sleeves are sleeves that have an extra length of silk. They serve as extensions of a dancer’s arms and linger in the air for a time even after a movement is finished, producing a graceful fluttering-wings or trailing-ripples effect.
Mr. Del Negro also appreciated the musical accompaniments to the dances and songs, and the synchronicity between the choreography and the orchestra.
“It’s in tune with the movements of the dancers and it’s great. I love the pianist as well who accompanied the sopranos,” he said.
The state-of-the-art digital backdrops impressed him as well. Often animated, they are individually designed to enhance each dance, story, and song, extending the stage and transporting the audience into captivating worlds beyond.
“I love that. I find that it’s very creative. The simulations and the way the dancers come out of the screen, it’s very creative. I’m enjoying it very much,” Mr. Del Negro said.
“I love the show,” Mr. Del Negro noted. “And I’m enjoying the costumes, the music, the sopranos, just great.”
Reporting by Xinxin Teng and Cindy Chan.
Shen Yun has three equally large companies touring the world with an all-new program each year. Each company has its own orchestra and vocal soloists. Shen Yun’s International Company will be in Montreal until Jan. 8 and then continue on to Kitchener, Ontario.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
