United States: Chinese Audience Member in Connecticut: I've Never Seen Such a Wonderful Show Before

On the afternoon of March 21st, 2009, the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour staged its first wonderful performance in Hartford's renowned theatre, The Bushnell. Among the audience were many Chinese people, who were deeply moved and proud when they saw how Shen Yun enhances and spreads the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

Erhu Performer from China: Perfect Orchestra

Ms. Ji is from China. She came to America to visit her relatives and has been here almost a year. She has been an Erhu performer for more than 30 years. After watching the first performance, she said that there were many talented and first-class performers in the Shen Yun Orchestra and that the conductor was more than outstanding.

"The conductor is the key to the whole performance. With so many different musical instruments, he is observant and alert. He has to remember and take care of everything in order to integrate the music with the dance. It is really not a simple thing," she said with admiration.

When she learned that the conductor's name is Chen Rutang, Ms. Ji said, "Now I know the reason. I've long heard about his great name. When he performed in China, I heard him several times."

Ms. Ji thought that the performance that day was perfect. She said, "The suona (Chinese trumpet) and flute performers are first-class. It is very difficult to play with so many musicians in the same orchestra. Such a wonderful performance and such a perfect combination indicates that they must practice very diligently. In addition, they adjust the music and lights just so."

She noted that the Shen Yun Orchestra includes both Chinese and Western musical instruments in order to achieve what they want to express, and the results are excellent.

Ms. Ji added that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could not stop the Chinese people's belief in Buddha. She said that there are many people in China who still believe in Buddha and who know that "One good turn deserves another." She remarked, "Now people who are engaged in artistic work in China might think differently, but after thinking it over, we might find that we should return to our five-thousand-year-old culture and tradition."

Chinese Person from the Mainland: I've Never Seen Such a Wonderful a Performance Before

Mr. Zhuang, who had come to America to visit his relatives, said that he had heard about Shen Yun for a long time. After watching the performance, he said, "I have never seen such a wonderful a performance in my whole life. It is impossible for us to see such an excellent performance in China. As a Chinese, I feel very proud to see our 5,000-year-old Chinese culture."

Mr. Zhuang commented, "In the performances from China, there is a fixed thinking model, like Mao's model. They are not open and free to think. But this performance is free, full of imagination and creativity."

He said that Shen Yun's music reminded him of the music he listened to in the temple in his hometown when he was a child, "Of course, Shen Yun's music is more artistic. You might feel such a state of peace without all the noise in the human world. "

He especially enjoyed the performances that reveal traditional Chinese culture, such as "Drummers of the Tang Court" and "Monk Ji Gong Abducts the Bride." Mr. Zhuang said, "In China, the traditional culture has disappeared due to the widespread execution of Mao's thoughts. But Shen Yun carries the tradition forward. Falun Gong teaches people to be compassionate to others and this benefits society. When you live in a world where people believe in Buddha, you will feel good."

The Founder of a Chinese School: I'm Very Moved

Zhou PeiPei, the founder of the Champion Chinese School in Connecticut, was deeply moved by the performance. She took the initiative to contact the media in hopes of sharing her feelings with more people.

Ms. Zhou said, "All the performances were very beautiful. The 5,000-year-old Chinese traditional culture is presented to the audience completely through the performance of the Shen Yun dancers and vocalists.

"When I see that Shen Yun makes such great efforts to carry forward the traditional culture, I am so moved. I sat there and couldn't help crying.

"The dancers are so nice, with very strong technical skills and character. Shen Yun reveals some very familiar stories, sometimes very powerful, sometimes so gentle. I am so moved that I cannot hold back my tears."

Ms. Zhou, who teaches Chinese calligraphy, said, "I teach traditional Chinese characters in Connecticut by myself, and sometimes I felt tired and lonely, especially when I see overseas Chinese who cannot get together but instead play politics. But Shen Yun really carries forward the traditional Chinese culture. It makes me so happy that I no longer feel lonely, because the traditional things are so beautiful."

As for Shen Yun's music, Ms. Zhou said that she enjoyed it very much. She said that the combination of Chinese and Western music was really great and moved her deeply. She said, "It as if my soul jumps for joy."