BERLIN—Retired gymnastics teacher, Hannelore Wiegau, still supervises a few gymnastics groups in Berlin. She was impressed by the movements on stage and the artists' gestures at the Spectacular. "The variations in the movements create a flowing, gliding rhythm, which provides an overall smooth picture," she said. "The men come across as regal and show their strength and rhythm. The Tang Dynasty-era drum solo was amazing."
This was the second year for the New York-based Divine Performing Arts' show in Germany's capital. Their aim during this world tour is to revitalize China's cultural and spiritual heritage, a legacy that has experienced great losses during decades'-long Communist dictatorship. Ms. Wiegau responded to the show's unusual content and music.
"We [Westerners] are not used to alto-singer Jiangsheng Jiang's low voice range and it is something unusual for us. However, it is outstanding for a woman to have such volume, to reach that low scale, and those expressions."
"The dances portrayed their inner, inherent meanings quite well. That touched me. It created a tension, but of a different kind, enabling one to immediately realize that there is a need, a need that needs to be dealt with. And how to deal with it?" She referred to a segment of the show portraying of the plight of Falun Gong through dance. "And the emotions connected with that were exceptionally well portrayed. Everything came across, and needs to be continued like this. We will support [this]."
"The show pleased me greatly—nicely done," said Danny Seifert, a hairdresser and Berlin resident. He summarized his impressions after the conclusion of the Chinese Spectacular, "I am an Asia fan and was particularly enchanted with the music and the costumes."
Seifert also saw the show last year. "We had seen the poster prior to our vacation trip to Asia, and I wanted to see it once more. We took a woman friend along, and she accompanied us this year, too."
"I will first have to let all this sink in and I cannot yet say," mused Seifert. His friend concurred and then added, "this show perhaps points out to judge others differently and without prejudice and to honor them just the same for their differences."
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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