SAN FRANCISCO—The Divine Performing Arts Company presented the fifth Chinese New Year Spectacular at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco which drew to a successful conclusion on January 25. Audiences from all backgrounds have watched the show with great enthusiasm and continuous applause.
Ms. Sally Li attained the prestigious title in China of the National First Class Performer. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and joined the Central Ensemble of Songs and Dances of China. Later she moved to the United States. Ms. Li and her family watched the show.
Ms. Li said, "It was indeed very good in artistic terms. I just watched a show performed by the China National Song and Dance Ensemble (a merger between the former Central Ensemble of Songs and Dances of China and the Light Music Orchestra of China) not long ago. They had good dancing skills, but I didn't feel their performance was pure art. They had neither pure classical dance nor folk dancing. In order to please domestic audiences, the dancing troupes in China have added a lot of modern movements into elements of the Chinese national dance, making those traditional folk dances unauthentic."
"I have not seen such a pure and authentic performance for a long time. In terms of professional value, the performers have solid skills, and they belong to the traditional formalism."
"I like the way they express Chinese classic stories through singing and dancing. It is beneficial especially for Chinese children overseas who know nothing about Chinese legends until they have watched the dances, such as Chang-Er's Flight to the Moon and the Story of Yue Fei."
"I like the backdrop which took you to the heavens and got you really close to the heavenly maidens. It is the first time I saw anything like this and it is indeed very impressive. It plays an incredible role in putting everything together."
"In addition, I haven't seen a live orchestra in a performance for a long time. I am very traditional and I miss the old times when I was on stage with live orchestras. Nowadays the background music is all recording orchestras and therefore lacks the connection with the performers. Hearing and seeing a live orchestra, I feel as if I have returned to my youth."
Ms. Li added, "The show is very pure and authentic. The costumes are very beautiful and traditional."
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