Shen Yun Performing Arts Opens to Montreal's Most Prestigious Theatre (Photos)
(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to Montreal Friday night, beginning its run at the Place des Arts in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, the largest and most prestigious of the five performance halls at the cultural complex in the heart of the city.
Wilfrid-Pelletier Hall at the Place des Arts cultural complex in Montreal
"The demand is really very keen to see the show, and we hope to be able to continually increase the number of tickets over the coming years," said Jin Chengzhi, one of the local organizers of the show.
Event organizers saw a full house similar to last year when the show played at Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts second largest performing hall.
Director of Administration: 'Absolutely Beautiful'
"It's absolutely a delight to watch," said Rita Laurendeau, after she attended Friday night's Shen Yun presentation at Place des Arts. "Absolutely beautiful. It's artistic. I'm enjoying it thoroughly."
Ms. Laurendeau, who is a director of administration for her company, said that she particularly liked the diversity of the show and the emcees who introduced each piece in French, English, and Chinese.
"I think the lady who comes out [one of the show's hosts], her French is so beautiful, so wonderful. I'm enjoying the Chinese--I don't understand it but I think it's truly beautiful."
She said she greatly enjoyed the full orchestra and the "amazing" soloists, adding that "the passion for life and the spirituality is very strong and it comes through in all the acts."
"I think it's beautiful," she said.
Ms. Laurendeau explained that her husband bought her a ticket to the show as a Christmas present.
"He just said 'It's something I've heard is very good, so let's go.'"
Banker: 'The show is good for everybody'
Among the delighted theatregoers giving Shen Yun a warm welcome on Friday night were banker Mr. Dalati and his wife. "I thought it was great, very nice. I liked the costumes, I liked the music, I liked the dances," said Mr. Dalati.
Mr. Dalati praised the coordination and synchronicity of the performers on stage
He observed the effect the show had on the audience and said "they applaud, they are happy."
"The show is good for everybody," Mr. Dalati concluded.
Plays to Sold Out Theatres
This is Shen Yun Performing Arts' fourth consecutive year to grace the stage in Montreal. The shows in this second largest city in Canada are part of the 2010 world tour by the non-profit, New York-based company.
The Canadian leg of the tour began on Jan. 6 with three shows in Kitchener-Waterloo marked by full houses, standing ovations, and multiple curtain calls.
The company of leading classical Chinese dancers, singers, and musicians next travelled to Ottawa for another three shows on Jan. 10 and 11 at the National Arts Centre.
Due to public demand after the nearly 7,000 available tickets sold out, the National Arts Centre began selling tickets to the standing-room space at the back of Southam Hall a day in advance of the opening show.
This year the Shen Yun global tour will visit more than 100 cities on five continents, including 10 Canadian cities.
After the Montreal presentations, the show will play in Hamilton and Toronto. At the end of January, it will head south to several U.S. cities before returning to Canada to perform in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg.
Montreal's Place des Arts is one of the largest cultural complexes in North America, and Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is home to three world-renowned resident companies: the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrea,l, and L'Opera de Montreal.
Source: