Shen Yun Thrills Audiences in Bregenz, Austria

(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts presented three shows in Bregenz' elegant Festspielhaus beginning Saturday, March 5. Audience members came from Austria, Liechtenstein, and Germany to see the acclaimed presentation of classical Chinese dance and music.

Shen Yun performers answer three curtain calls after the last show in Bregenz, Austria.

Shen Yun leaves Bregenz with a standing ovation.

Bregenz, Austria

“Amazing . . .nothing could have been more perfect." - Mr. Egmond Frommelt

The Frommelt family—husband, wife, and granddaughter

Mr. Egmond Frommelt, honorary president of the "Bank in der Liechtenstein AG" Advisory Board; his wife, Marianne; and granddaughter, Leonie, drove from Liechtenstein to see the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the Bregenz Festspielhaus.

"The show was breathtaking. I just sat there the entire time in amazement at the dancers' performance," said Marianne, wonder still lighting up her eyes.

Her husband commented on the inner beauty of the Shen Yun performers. "The empathy, which came across quite well, was astounding. The show presented an entirely different world than we are used to. But it was marvelous. It was a harmonic world, filled with grace that ran just like a river throughout the entire show."

What came as a big surprise to Mr. Frommelt was the tsunami in “The Opening of Heaven's Gate,” which appeared to destroy everything in its path because of the killing of an innocent Falun Gong practitioner but was halted by a divine being to save all good beings. "The tsunami that was mounting over the city was overpowering. How that was technically realized is unique. That is something I have never seen. But, it presented a positive message," he said.

Just like many others in the audience, these three members of the Frommelt family were enamored of the Mongolian riders dance in “Herding on the Grasslands,” where dancing horsemen mirrored in their dance a sense of galloping under blue skies. "It showed huge impetus and enormous strength that made one feel part of the scene. It was spectacular," said Mr. Frommelt.

Talking back and forth about the show, Egmond, Marianne, and Leonie touched on many of the scenes in the show, and all said that they loved the costumes. Mr. Frommelt summarized their impressions, "Yes, the show was, from A to Z, unique and amazing. It was all intertwined so amazingly that nothing could have been more perfect."

Shen Yun a “unique artistic endeavor”- Foundation President

Ms. Antonia Frick, President of the Liechtenstein Foundation

Attending the matinee was Ms. Antonia Frick, CEO of the Liechtenstein Foundation. Her husband accompanied her, and both were moved by what they saw.

Ms. Frick has been president and CEO of the Liechtenstein Foundation for 25 years. She specializes in family law and has recently established a project in Romania. On leaving the theatre, she said, "I am still completely taken by the beauty, and everything tugged at my soul. The costumes are simply superb. Rarely does anything come close to such a unique artistic endeavor anywhere in the world."

Ms. Frick was in awe of the dancers' precision. "Once you have practiced anything, it becomes clear how much training and preparation is behind it before anyone can achieve such perfection—unbelievable."

She was further impressed with how the backdrops melded with the stage presentations. "It fascinated me, the technology—how they descend from the heavens and then they suddenly are standing on stage; simply fascinating. And the spirituality behind it all—it churns my insides."

Ms. Frick had high praise for the emcees, whose insights into the history of each piece helped the audience glide into the world of Chinese folk dance, myths, allegories and legends. "I find this simply excellent—to have such introductions. Without those, I would not have understood certain things."

She said she often performs qigong, "I have researched the movements a bit and found out some background; it is difficult to explain; one has to experience it. And the Chinese melodies are no strangers to me ... To see all this in Europe is outstanding."

Throughout the entire show, a live orchestra performed its magic on the audience, weaving from one scene to the next. "The Shen Yun Orchestra is super. It harmonizes Western music and instruments with their Eastern counterparts. Especially in this age of globalization, it can only add to dialogue and understanding between cultures and nations."

"The dancers are marvelous.” - Mr. Guenter Reich of the Friedrichshafen Musiktheater E.V. (music theater)

Mr. Guenter Reich, member of the board of the Friedrichshafen Musiktheater E.V. (music theater), commented on the technique displayed by the dancers and how difficult all the dance movements truly are, although the dancers make them look so easy.

"The dancers are marvelous. The backdrop is perfect. One lacks the words to describe everything one has seen today," he said.

An integral part of the Shen Yun performance are the animated hi-tech backdrops that transport the audience to another world, with blossoming landscapes, deep forests, Mongolian prairies, and celestial paradises. Many in the audience members spoke of the backdrops with admiration, commenting that they had never seen this before.

Ms. Inke Barysch, owner of a life-coaching firm, was deeply moved by the dances depicting life in modern-day China, stories in which people of faith are ultimately rewarded for their courage and conviction. "I was deeply touched, because this show has such a deep spiritual background. I believe strongly that we now are living in golden times," she said. "For me, the message is the salvation of people. The heavens open up. Light comes down to earth. The dark forces, represented by the evil police, disappear and there is no stopping the light that enfolds earth."

The harmony between the dances and the music was unique. - Duchess Elisabeth zu Salm-Salm

Duchess Elisabeth zu Salm-Salm recommends Shen Yun

Duchess Elisabeth zu Salm-Salm was full of praise for the New York based Shen Yun performance.
"The show was fantastic! Not only the traditional dances—the artists' movements, the colors, and the backdrop—everything was beautiful. The choreography was simply superb. The whole show was an unforgettable event."

The live orchestra that combined Western and Eastern instruments warranted special mention. "The orchestral interplay between Western and Asian instruments was fascinating. That is something I had not assumed. It sounded half foreign, half familiar, and sounded great. I think it elicits something from both cultures—European and Chinese."

Aside from kudos for the superb dancing, the stagecraft, and costuming, Shen Yun is renowned for everyone's skill in the live orchestra, prompting the duchess to say, "The harmony between the dances and the music was unique. I really enjoyed it. The show is so melodic."

She was particularly impressed with the erhu and the musician playing it. The erhu is a traditional two-stringed Chinese knee violin. "I have seen illustrations of this instrument and as wood carvings. But when one hears the instrument actually played, the sound goes immediately to the heart. It was wonderful—a bit melancholy, but hopeful, too. I liked it immensely. And the dances conveyed what they needed to tell. The moderator was a great help in comprehending the goings-on on stage. The show is a cause célèbre. I am so glad I attended."

The duchess was already familiar with the story of the monk, as well as with the Monkey King [“The Monkey King Outwits Pigsy”] and said, "Both are famous Chinese stories." The first is attributed to a 600-year old literary work, about a hero called Lu Zishen, and the other is from the novel Journey to the West. "Such spirited fighting—a bit like kung fu. Really strong and powerful scenes."

The duchess is familiar with Chinese culture because of her interest in antiques, especially Chinese porcelain. "I read much about Chinese mythology. That's why many things in the show seemed familiar. Everything is brought back to mind with the show; I can easily comprehend the messages behind the acting."

She was particularly moved by “Without Regret,” in which police murder a young man for owning a copy of the book Zhuan Falun, the main text for Falun Gong practice, a meditation practice of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. "That young man, initially standing on stage with his mother and was then persecuted, and how the mother grieved, that was most impressive. And then immediately ascending to heaven—that ends the otherwise negative scene on a note of hope."

In “Herding on the Grassland,” she was greatly impressed with the rendition of Mongolian horsemen. “It managed to bring life in the Mongolian wilderness to life."

"Overall, the entire program was quite a success, a well-done time capsule about China—professionally carried out. The transition from ancient China to the present was interesting. The show also conveyed the message that the artists are one body, presenting a unified whole. I like that—it came across very well."

She will tell others about the Shen Yun show, "I can only recommend this show to any and all and would like to see it again."

[Shen Yun shows] the inter-connectedness between the human world and the heavens - publicist and publisher Dr. Martin Walchner

Also in the audience on Saturday evening was publicist and publisher Dr. Martin Walchner, who said he was impressed with Shen Yun and appreciative of the Shen Yun Orchestra, which combines classical Western and Chinese instruments.

"The last scene was something special—the inter-connectedness between the human world and the heavens—it was present throughout the whole show, like a thread. Such scenes are seldom seen these days. Shen Yun is really something special," Dr. Walchner said.

Oriental carpet merchant Mr. Atesch Bayat, a Baha'i follower, also praised the show. He was at the performance with his wife, Ingrid.

Shen Yun presents a collection of short pieces, from legends of the culture’s creation over 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) in China today.

Mr. Bayat said, "Shen Yun has inspired me to find out more about Falun Gong. The principles that Falun Gong espouses are really great.

"I think it is great to see the persecution of Falun Gong interpreted in such a perfect manner. It is a message of hope, something I wish to have for the Baha'i faith, too,” said Mr. Bayat, referring to his fellow Iranians who are persecuted for their faith.