GENEVA—Armène Stakia, a solo violinist with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, shared her impression of the Divine Performing Arts Shen Yun Chinese Spectacular on Monday.
Epoch Times (ET): Mrs. Stakia, you are a solo violinist with the philharmonic Orchestre de la Suisse Romande?
Armène Stakia (AS): That's right, I am a professional violinist. I am more used to be on the other side of the stage [rather than being in the audience]. My field is classical music. I've given concerts throughout the world, and that's what has given me the chance to open up to other cultures.
ET: As a professional, how did you find the show?
AS: I was very touched by the perfection and the work that it represents. At the same time, there is something extremely refined carrying ideas that are simple. What's carried through is extremely touching. It's a great eternal truth that this refinement integrates [into the show]. All this production, these costumes, these colors, these movements to which I am very sensitive somehow pay homage to this essence, to these values.
ET: You mentioned values. Which ones have touched you?
AS: It's a great truth in life that we have started to forget. Our society constrains us to a certain form of materialism. This show, like other things besides, lets us access a superior goal. On this point, this Chinese were … very, very strong.
ET: Was there a part of the show that particularly made an impact on you?
AS: It's the grace and harmony that transmit these values that particularly touched me. These things should make us better, they remind us of what's essential.
ET: What aspect of Chinese culture did you find moving in the show?
AS: I am familiar with Chinese pentatonic so it is not a surprise for me. What particularly touched me was the erhu piece.
ET: As an experienced musician, how do you listen to a piece?
AS: For music, whatever its origin, it must truly communicate something, that is the true role of music. As a musician, one must above all to be at the service of one's own art.
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/
Feeds