AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France—Although Shen Yun Performing Arts has eight companies touring the world simultaneously, it’s impossible be able to cover every city and every country. So, for Marie-Ange and Christian Cacioppi, traveling to France from Monaco gave them the chance to see Shen Yun.
“We thought it was very poetic, very beautiful, and that they were really extraordinary dancers. The costumes are extraordinary,” said Mrs. Cacioppi, an asset manager at a bank.
“Everything is perfect. Everything is timed. Everything is meticulous—everything is perfect,” said Mr. Cacioppi, a former bank executive.
The couple love ballet and they were struck by how different classical Chinese dance was. This dance form is one of the most comprehensive and expressive dance forms in the world.
“It’s completely different from classical ballet. I love classical ballet because in Monaco we have a very fine ballet company. [Shen Yun] is another atmosphere, it’s another way of expressing dance. I think it’s very beautiful,” said Mrs. Cacioppi.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and Mrs. Cacioppi shared that Chinese culture is quite foreign to them, so seeing Shen Yun was a completely new experience.
“We’re a little ignorant, perhaps, of Chinese culture, but it’s certainly something that makes us dream,” she said.
The couple sat right in front of the orchestra pit.
“Fantastic!” Mr. Cacioppi said of the music. “It was very romantic.”
Shen Yun is based in New York, and although it is touring around the world, the one place Shen Yun cannot perform is in China.
“I really thought that the troupe was based in China! I think it’s great that they’re trying to share the culture of a country where they are not allowed. I think it’s great to pass on this message,” said Mrs. Cacioppi.
They expressed that it’s wonderful to live in a country where they are free to express themselves.
“[Shen Yun] is passing on the tradition, and that’s very important,” said Mr. Cacioppi.
The couple said the could recommend everyone to come see Shen Yun.
Sylvie Gode and Raphaël Brun were also at the performance this evening.
“It was fantastic. Even if we worked, we couldn’t do what you do. Would you agree? There’s a lightness to it, there’s very specific body work. It was fantastic,” said Sylvie Gode, a dance teacher.
Shen Yun’s orchestra is an ensemble that is comprised of a classic Western orchestra and traditional Chinese instruments. The sound produced is unique to Shen Yun.
“It’s not just pure Chinese music and that’s what makes it blend in, what makes it work, what makes people buy into the show—because it’s accessible,” said Ms. Gode.
Classical Chinese dance is known for its expressive ability.
“The stage expression of the actors and actresses—it was not just the dancing, there was … comedy,” said Mr. Raphaël Brun, a sports coach.
Reporting by Sheng Ming and Maria Han.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
From The Epoch Times
