Germany: Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular Premiers in Hamburg, Receives Rave Review from Artists

On March 17th, 2008, a Hamburg audience broadened their horizons at the Theater im Hafen when Divine Performing Arts performed in their city for the first time. The more than two-hour-long Chinese Spectacular showcased 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. The performances, coupled with state-of-the-art animated backdrops, provided the Hamburg audience a feast for the senses. After the show, many in the audience expressed high praise for the Spectacular.

Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular premiered at the Theater im Hafen in Hamburg

Stage Director: "The Sense of Beauty Presented Is Unprecedented"

Mr. Connelius Baltus, stage director of the Theater im Hafen, attended the Spectacular and commented that he had never seen anything like the sense of beauty presented by the dancing and singing in the Divine Performing Arts Spectacular.

Connelius Baltus, Stage Director of the Theater im Hafen

"The show's stage set-up, background and the performers' costumes are rich in colors, very impressive," Mr. Baltus said. Mr. Baltus once participated in the production of the musical drama "Lion King." He felt that "Lion King" is a foreign culture for the Germans, and so is the Divine Performing Arts. But the Divine Performing Arts' unique characteristics and presentation brought him in. He said he had a special evening, and he enjoyed the show very much.

Mr. Baltus said he especially liked the dance, "Drummers of the Tang Court." He felt that the performance had strong characters, and the colors were bright and lively. Even so, the performers did not have exaggerated movements. He said that the choreography of the dance was very delicate and elaborate; each movement was interwoven with other movements, and the entire performance was harmonious. He found it unique and extremely exquisite.

Mr. Baltus said, "The show made an impression on the audience about Chinese culture. The Spectacular showcased different aspects of China through Chinese history. For me, the Spectacular is a painter's palette. Different colors stood out, yet were in harmony, as was the unusual music. For our ears, it was a process to get used to it. We should listen carefully to gradually get used to it. While listening to the music, one seemed to fly around in the sky."

Mr. Baltus continued, saying that the dances contained elements of ballet and modern dance. But overall it was very delicate and precise. He said that the "Nymphs of the Sea" was really remarkable - so many dancers moved the fabric together, forming a stunning visual effect, sometimes it was like a waterfall, sometimes fountains. He felt that it was typically Chinese.

"That was a very beautiful painting. I'm wondering why I have never seen [such a technique] in any other performance," said Mr. Baltus finally.

Music Conductor: "The Music in the Chinese Spectacular Is Impeccable"

Ms. Suely Lauar praised the Chinese Spectacular as perfect

Ms. Suely Lauar studied music from childhood in Rio de Janeiro. After graduation, she conducted several orchestras in Brazil. Ms. Lauar is also a well-known solo singer in her home country. Since she immigrated to Germany six years ago, she has conducted a police band and chorus in Hamburg, and also guided five other choruses.

Ms. Lauar's favorite performance was Ms. Qi Xiaochun's Erhu performance. "I especially liked that Erhu performance. The piano accompaniment was also very good, very admirable."

Ms. Lauar also highly praised the vocalists for their "extraordinarily good quality." She said, "The melody of the Asian music is very special, different from that of Europe. The tenor (Guan Guimin) has the voice of Pavarotti. The sopranos (Bai Xue and Jiang Min) and the contralto (Yang Jiansheng) also sang very well. They had a special quality," said Ms. Lauar.

Couple Has High Praise for the Spectacular

The audience was still reluctant to leave even after three curtain calls. Among them were a well-dressed German couple. The lady beamed.

Hamburg couple, the Workmanns

Elizabeth Parker Workmann said she was a classical dancer before, so she paid special attention to the dance numbers. "I found the dance performances to be extraordinarily wonderful, very graceful! Chinese dancers' body form is similar to that in the west, but their movements are completely different. I appreciated their elegant dances, I learned a lot from them! The performances in the show were rich and diversified, with each being so splendid. I have no way to single out the best one! If I must make a choice, I would say, 'The Mongolian Bowl Dance' and ''Forsythia in Spring'. I thought those dancers were so light, soft, artful and smooth... the show did live up to its name 'Spectacular!' Really splendid!"

Her husband, William Workmann, is a professor at the Hamburg College of Music and Drama. He agreed with his wife's impression of the Spectacular and thought highly of Divine Performing Arts. He said, "It brought me a lot enjoyment. Very enjoyable, wonderful. The performers seemed to float across the stage. Those kind of dance steps are marvelous! Fantastic!"