PARIS—The second performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ 2025 tour in Paris took place in front of a full house again at the Palais de Congrès, a promising start for the series of 16 performances in the French capital.

“I’m delighted to be able to attend this show, which reminds me of the refinement of Chinese culture,” said Olivier Duriez, a former naval architecture engineering designer. “I’m completely won over by this presentation.”

“I’m thrilled to see so much talent, so well mastered, so artistic,” he said, adding the Shen Yun artists had a “very high standard.”

Since ancient times, China has been known as the “Celestial Empire,” with the belief that the divine coexisted with the human, making traditional Chinese culture semi-divine.

This is what Shen Yun shows on stage through classical Chinese dance. It’s also what keeps the New York-based company from being allowed to perform in today’s China, under the rule of a communist regime.

“I feel the fact that there is a great spirituality also through the culture that was expressed, the feelings, the scenes that were presented,” Mr. Duriez said. “There’s a great spirituality expressed through all these talents, all these presentations.”

This made Mr. Duriez optimistic about the future of China, in particular, and also for the world. “I believe that China will indeed gradually move towards this spirituality, and even make it concrete in its life, in its exchanges. I believe that China is destined for even greater greatness, and will contribute more spirituality to a world that really needs it.”

In Shen Yun, Mr. Duriez said he saw “qualities of tolerance, a search for justice too, a balance of social life,” and this made him optimistic for the future, despite the current communist state in China.

“I think China will bring something new, a resource for the resurgence of values that unfortunately tend to get lost. And I think the influence of these people will continue to grow throughout the world, and that’s what’s desirable.”

The tenor’s song, performed in Chinese using the bel canto technique, without a microphone and accompanied only by a pianist, touched Mr. Duriez deeply. The audience was treated to a translation of the song’s lyrics into French and English on the background screen.

“I really enjoyed the tenor’s performance, and I think his message will make a difference. He moves hearts, he opens consciences. And I think that little by little, things will move forward in the minds and hearts of individuals who will listen and who will be receptive to what is produced, which will be a source of mark of the influence of the culture, of the thought, of the cultural dimension, of China, of the Chinese people.”

“I felt there was a real spiritual quest in the singing. There’s an influence of divinity in the mind, in the heart of the person,” Mr. Duriez said.

A scene at the end of Shen Yun’s show depicts the Creator coming to Earth, a scene as full of hope, Mr. Duriez said, just as he is.

“I have the feeling that this is somewhere close to Christian culture. As a Christian myself, I was very sensitive to this song, and I think that, indeed, the Great Creator will come back and reunite all those who are sensitive to the message and who have this search for spirituality and brotherhood between individuals and peoples,” Mr. Duriez said.

Retired computer engineer Léo Zerbib was excited to see Shen Yun that same afternoon.

“I’ve been looking forward to this show,” Mr. Zerbib said. “Listen, it’s wonderful, wonderful.”

Among other things, Mr. Zerbib created and managed the IT department of the Paris Stock Exchange. He was also a municipal councilor of La Frette-sur-Seine, during which time he presented musical shows with the deputy mayor for his municipality.

“It was as if the dancers were flying. And above all, there was one thing that was very pleasing: ... the screen behind, you really had the impression that the screen and the stage were in osmosis,” Mr. Zerbib said about the innovative digital projections.

“The dancers are wonderful, really ... really beautiful, really beautiful,” Mr. Zerbib said, adding he also liked the costumes. “Everything was great.”

In addition to all these features, there was another aspect that particularly caught Mr. Zerbib’s attention.

“There’s one thing that struck me: this slightly philosophical side that you put into interpreting the lyrics and this relationship between earthly man and heaven, it’s something very well done and very beautiful.”

He explains: “It’s important that you talk about this kind of thing, because men forget a little about spirituality. They’re earthbound. But [Shen Yun] brings in the spiritual side ... the connection with heaven.”

Mr. Zerbib felt benevolence emanating from Shen Yun. “You get the impression that you’re bathed in a climate of serenity and happiness. It’s benevolence.”

“Today’s worldview is rather pessimistic. And here, you bring an optimistic element which says that ‘if we escape from this earthly side and get closer to heaven, we can manage to have a more pleasant, gentler life’,” Mr. Zerbib said.

“And above all, at one point, I remembered a phrase: ‘The soul is in community with heaven, spirituality,’” Mr. Zerbib said.