ST. LOUIS,MO—Having seen the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on Thursday May 1, Brett Gregory Steen, who owns a film production company, was bowled over by the erhu number played by Mei Xuan.
"That was in my mind, really gripping my soul... Absolutely phenomenal! I felt as if my soul was being ripped right out of me and just hovering as she was playing the music. That is how stunning her music was. It impacted on me, on my instincts and soul."
Steen was also impressed by the show's portrayal of traditional Chinese culture. "Culturally it is an amazing event. The choreographers did an amazing job. Seeing this cultural interaction, I would love to see more people see this."
Having a musical background, Steen said that the music in the Spectacular "impacted me the most. I enjoy music, especially…the Chinese cultural music. As a kid I really enjoyed music, and being here and seeing this, now I really want to go to China. Other people here will say, 'I want to see more'."
Steen was touched by how the music brought out the "divinity within the soul. This music is really unique. Chinese music is about the spiritual. I keep thinking of 'divine,' like the name Divine Performing Arts.
"The Chinese music brings out the spiritual. It seems in Buddhist culture where, when thinking of divinity and spirituality, people can get their centre and feel at peace and harmony. I felt I was in harmony and peace."
Steen also commented on the "colourful" animated digital backdrops that "performed along with the dances."
He found every performance was gripping. "Just as you are getting into the acts, they would end." He loved the Tang drums in the finale, 'Victory Drums'.
"Finishing off with the drums... amazing. With the drum beats and heartbeats — I felt it all while I was sitting there. My eyes were closed and I was soaking it all up. It was amazing...very awesome."
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts company. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
Feeds