神韵艺术团
美國神韻藝術團 | |
---|---|
成立 | 2006 |
總部 | 美國紐約州Cuddebackville |
業務範圍 | 全球 |
产业 | 表演艺术 |
營業額 | 45,965,964 美元 (2022年) |
總資產 | 228,580,466 美元 (2022年) |
主要部門 | 神韻紐約藝術團 神韻國際藝術團 神韻巡迴藝術團 神韻世界藝術團 神韻北美藝術團 神韻交響樂團 |
网站 | shenyun |
神韻藝術團成立於2006年,總部設於美國紐約。被譽為「世界第一秀」,一個以恢復五千年正統中華文化為宗旨的藝文團體。2006年獲《Billboard》雜誌評選為全美七大優秀大型舞台劇[1]。
《纽约时报》2010年〈一夜看盡五千年中華傳統音樂與舞蹈〉报导,指神韵每年在全世界逾100個主要城市巡演(而至今仍未能前往中国演出),在2007年首演季,观众只有二十万;在2010年演出季,观众已超过一百万。每个分团除了有知名的舞蹈家和音乐家外,有獨立的乐队、编舞、作曲家、主持人、服装设计师、舞台设计师、天幕和电脑艺术家約100人,均受过传统的中国文化培训。[2][3]常獲世界各地藝術大師的五星級評價,被稱「奇蹟再現」[4]。
特色
據神韻官方網站介紹,神韻演出內容擁有五大特色,分別為:
中國古典舞
神韻藝術團每一團約有60名舞者[5],演出內容以中國古典舞為主體,輔以中國民族民間舞蹈。中國古典舞具有數千年的歷史淵源,早期主要在宮廷及古老的戲劇戲曲中流傳;舞蹈中除了跳、轉、翻騰等高難度動作之外,還有身法、身韻、技巧等要求。[6][7]08年新年加拿大环球邮报提到当年神韵演出中的一则《仙女踏波》(Nymphs of the Sea)节目,获得观众们最热诚欢迎;作者称节目中可爱的年轻女士们中的每一位,握着一把带长长的蓝色丝带的扇,她们聚在一起挥舞扇的时候,真的象是海中的波纹。[8]
旧金山湾区的旧金山纪事报,基于对神韵艺术团的编舞李维娜(Vinna Lee)的专访,形象介绍什么是中国古典舞及作为其重要成份的『韵』。[9]
神韻藝術團的舞蹈節目多從中國的神話與傳說中吸取靈感,來源有木蘭辭[10][11],西遊記[12]與水滸傳[13]等等。除此以外,神韻藝術團亦有節目描繪「法輪大法在中國的故事」。[14]比如,2008年新年演出的二十個節目中,有六個與法輪功相關;其中的兩個舞蹈節目分別描述了三個法輪功女學員在獄中被打,以及一羣學員在公園裏抵抗中國警察非法鎮壓的過程。[8]
2010年的舞蹈节目内容,有宋朝忠诚的将军岳飞、乔装成男子从军的女英雄花木兰、16世纪的中国小说西游记,以及讲述在天安門廣場和平示威被捕的现代传奇《震撼》(Astounding Conviction)[15][8]。
中西合璧樂队
神韻艺术团擁有中西合璧的樂團現場伴奏,以西洋管弦樂器為基礎,加上二胡、琵琶、嗩吶、笛子、古箏等中國傳統樂器。[2]既有西方交響樂寬廣、宏大和輝煌的氣勢;又有中國傳統樂器的細膩與悠揚。[16]
神韵艺术团乐团成员,包括中國國家一級演員、大提琴演奏家、原中国中央乐团交响乐队队长兼指挥陈汝棠[17]和國家一級演員長笛演奏家陳凝芳夫妇[18]及他们的女儿、曾师从费城交响乐团首席的陈樱女士。[17]
知名声乐家器乐家独唱独奏
除了合奏,演出中也穿插器樂家的獨奏,比如著名二胡演奏家美旋(中国国家一级演员[18])、戚曉春的演出。[19]
神韵声乐演员中有中国歌王之誉的男高音歌唱家、中国国家一级演员關貴敏[20][18],有著名女低音德籍华人楊建生、中國最佳演員獎获得者女高音白雪、原中國黑龍江省歌舞團獨唱演員女高音姜敏等。[19][21]2007年演出的一支独唱中提及轉輪聖王(Chakravartin)。[22]神韻聲樂演員中,還有在中國時為外国政要表演的国家一级演员、獲獎男高音洪鳴,以及女高音耿浩兰等等。[23]
純手工服飾和道具
神韻演出中,舞蹈演員會依不同的朝代或身份而穿戴不同的服裝與使用不同的道具。[2][5]
神韻官方網站稱,神韻晚會的服飾,從唐代霓裳羽衣到皇家袞龍袍與鳳冠霞披,從文官帕頭袍衫到兵勇兜鍪甲衣,從交領右衽漢服到滿、藏、傣、蒙古和維吾爾等等許多少數民族的服飾,服飾之美、流光溢彩、蔚為大觀;並表示,神韻藝術團的服裝設計師,博採歷代帝王將相及布衣平民服飾特點,「用色明麗、豐富且獨具匠心」,「數百套原創服裝服飾全部由專業手工訂製,每一細節經精心考證、雕琢或靈感的啟示」,「以美和德的原則,強調協調、平衡和對比,以確保呈現最正統的中華神傳服飾文化以及最完美的舞台效果」。[24]據消息,頂級服裝設計師從神韻晚會獲得服裝設計的靈感。[25]
神韻演員們使用的道具,包括色彩繽紛的手帕、鼓,[5]還有扇子、筷子和水袖等。[26][27]
动态天幕
神韻的舞台背景屬於數位動態背景,隨著每一不同的劇情而改變,有蒙古大草原、炊煙裊裊的中國小村莊、山水、古寺等,帶領觀眾進入另一世界。[2][28][29]除了靜態背景之外,背景也具有動態效果,能與劇情、演員進行互動。[30]神韻藝術團三維動畫大型天幕技術現已取得專利,並受美國專利法保護。
演出團隊
從神韻藝術團於2006年成立以來,演出團隊規模持續發展與擴大。時至今日共有5大演出團於北美、亞洲、歐洲、大洋洲、南美洲的著名大型城市劇院演出。
- 神韻紐約藝術團
- 神韻國際藝術團
- 神韻巡迴藝術團
- 神韻世界藝術團
- 神韻北美藝術團
- 神韻交響樂團
- 2012年於紐約卡內基音樂廳首演,享譽全美。自次年起於美國各大城市之大型音樂廳展開巡演。2016年起,神韻交響樂團包括固定的在美巡演行程,也開始在加拿大、台灣、日本等國家和地区展開國際巡演行程。
神韻藝術團登臨的大型戲劇院(表演場地),包括最富盛名的紐約无线电城音乐厅[31] [32]、林肯中心[33][34]、華盛頓约翰·肯尼迪表演艺术中心[35]、倫敦皇家节日大厅、巴黎会议与会展中心、加拿大多倫多索尼表演艺术中心[26]、台北國父紀念館[36]、美國加州好莱坞的杜比剧院(原名柯達劇院)。[37]
外界反饋
神韻藝術團在成立以來便受到世界各地媒體好评如潮:
- 《舊金山紀事報》,这份北加利福尼亚地区发行量最大的报纸,于2007年至2009年接连三个新年,介绍并赞扬神韻演出。[9][38][39]2008年以《百年难遇》(EPIC PROPORTIONS)所作报导中,提到此演出被称为「海外庆祝中国新年规模最大的活动」,提到演出有约40个独立节目,每一节目表现中国一个历史片段或一个中国新年故事,有皇宫、武士和仙女下凡等场景,也有当代正在发生的故事的舞蹈展现,报导提到演出最主要出发点就是展现中共统治中国以前的中国历史,引用了神韵编舞李维娜的话:「中国新年是家庭团聚的日子,就象是圣诞节。我们的演出不仅仅是娱乐,更是为了回顾历史,复兴中国的文化之本;包括被中共迫害和遗弃的善良、宽容、美丽等原则;不管什么背景观众,会发现很容易理解演出的内涵;不要错过第一个节目,大幕拉开是一幅令人惊叹的画面,将带给你久远历史前的信息。」[38]
- 《芝加哥論壇報》艺术评论家史密斯先生在2008年观看神韵演出后,以《演出中女士们行云如水》为题作報導,评论证神韵是名副其实、无可争议的「壮观(Spectacular)」,服装「丰富精巧(intricately detailed)」;动态天幕展示「田园诗般(pastoral)的美景」并具备「电影特效的创意(cinematic ingenuity)」;舞蹈演员「技术高超(nimble mastery)」、「动作优雅(delicate)」。[27]
- 《丹佛邮报》,在2008年元月以《在中国新年庆祝中华传统文化》为题进行的报导,作者John Wenzel 表示正在环球巡演的这个演出,在努力展现生动、真实、没有被现代化宣传扭曲的中华艺术;报导谈到北京当局试图阻碍神韵演出,因为视这场演出为对维持其现状的威胁;而在世界各地,几十万观众观看后了解了有5000悠久文化的中国。该报导表示,鉴于中共对中华传统文化的压制,神韵艺术团旨在挽救中华传统文化,演出透过罕见的特殊服饰和生动活泼的肢体语言,演绎出中国古老神话和传奇故事,吸引了多元文化观众的目光,整场晚会中有中西主持人介绍各节目,帮助观众掌握各节目的精髓。并引用了对神韵艺术团顾问张而平先生的采访:「现今中国境内多数艺术演出虽兼俱中西方形式和乐器,主要为政治服务,因为共产党意识形态被作为舶来品输入中国后,为成功在中国落地生根,要压制中华传统文化形式。中国新年本是家人团聚与庆祝的时刻,可社会上还有人因人权被侵犯、受镇压而无法和亲人团聚。神韵晚会不只是对西方人,对于我们中国人自己,反观历史及思考中国现状,都会大开眼界。观众对晚会形成压倒性的正面反馈,很多中国观众看后都流下眼泪。」报导表示神韵晚会透过轻快、冥想音乐以及基于广泛历史研究的细致动作,明确传达出平和的讯息。[32]
- 《百老汇世界》,这个综合介绍和预报剧院演出的专业网站(broadwayworld.com)于08年12月8日,刊登專欄作家、音樂劇演員和導演Beau Higgins的文章,极力赞美神韵艺术团的《圣诞奇观》(Holiday Wonders),是全新的音乐、舞蹈大手笔演出,称特别美丽、前所未见,表示演出荟萃了传统的音乐、歌曲、编舞、精美服饰和叹为观止的动态天幕,再现自豪和非凡的悠久中华文化;作者特别提到了神韵领舞演员Michelle Ren饰演传奇女骑士花木兰中的非凡演出。[31]
- 《百老汇世界》2015年11月11日报导,全球数百万人已经看过神韵表演。在顶尖的艺术中心,众人热烈鼓掌欢迎,欧洲贵族也参与,北美门票销售一空,在亚洲场场爆满,这些已经成为神韵演出的一个国际现象。[40]
- 《紐約時報》文艺活动版2010年8月13日,发表記者SUSAN HODARA以《一夜賞盡五千年樂舞》的文章,介绍了神韵艺术团是一个依靠门票销售和捐赠来运营的非营利组织,其宗旨是复兴中华传统文化,并介绍神韵引人入胜的艺术表现方式。报导谈到,在08年一月至八月,该团在约130个用音乐、舞蹈和舞剧展现跨越五千年的中华文化。报导中表示,每年神韵均会有全新的原创节目,2.5小时演出融合一系列精心编排的节目,从独唱、多人舞蹈到二胡独奏,配以优雅舞台设计、原创乐曲、华丽服饰、独特道具和背景天幕,有美声歌曲、鼓乐和西藏、蒙古等民间舞蹈;现场伴奏乐队用中国乐器如琵琶、古筝和笛子等,也有西方乐器,技术难度高。每一节目配有不同的天幕:宫殿、草原、高山、下雪和云层,一切动画与演员的动作协调配合。[2]文章引述神韵发言人的话,“「他们认为,要成为杰出艺术家,不能只学会精湛的技术,还要有某种生活态度,即必须坚强、保持冷静、有同情心、内心平和。这些品质,无论可见与否,会伴随人,人们会感觉到。」”
- CNN在2010年以「中華文化在美復興」為题,對神韻艺术团進行介紹。[41] 福斯國際電視網娛樂記者于2012年1月13日,专访神韻艺术团后,以《神韻幕後》為題播出採訪花絮。[42]美國著名售票網站Ticketmaster,数百观众給予神韻的評分平均分为4.4顆星(滿分5顆星)[43]。
- 《BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA PORTLAND》雜誌收錄了幾位名人對於神韻的評價。奧斯卡影后凱特·布蘭切特表示,「觀賞神韻是一個不凡的經歷,除了技巧高超,作品原創性與對故事的敘述令人吃驚;同時也相當精緻美麗。」《阿凡達》藝術總監Robert·Stromberg表示:「非常美麗,史詩級的演出且具啟發性;讓我對下一部阿凡達得到一些靈感。」著名百老匯評論家Richard·Connema說:「從1942年迄今,我已看過約3,000-4,000個表演,我給神韻頂級的5顆星,我看過的所有表演都無法和今晚的表演相比,用我想到最好的詞彙來形容,就是“mind blowing”。」[44]
争议
神韻藝術團在表演中部分內容從評論家與觀衆處收到了不一的評價。[45] 一些評論家對藝術團节目中这部分内容傳達的信息作出了肯定[46][22],有觀眾對沒有五星紅旗、中國人民解放軍與愛國故事的演出感到讚賞。[47]
但除正面報導以外,神韻藝術團表演亦時有受到負面和混杂不一的评價;特别是对于2008年度的演出,有四个媒体发表过这类评价:《紐約時報》大纽约版2008年2月6日,記者Eric Konigsberg发表文章《一场有人难以看下去的中国文化演出》:与家人一起来看演出、家住新泽西的中国移民Steven说:“来之前,我是一点都不知道它是法轮功,但已太晚了,这真的让我很不爽。”Steven是第一批离开的观众之一,他要求不要提到他的姓,“这有点太政治、太宗教了,尤其舞蹈里包括了一些女孩在监狱里受到虐待的内容,对于中国人过新年,特别是我们的小孩也在场,这太过分了。”[48]《多倫多星報》于2008年元月曾對藝術團的表演給出1.5顆星的低分,稱其「異常俗氣」,並認爲藝術團的編舞「一貫平庸」。[49]英国《衛報》2008年2月的一评论中,作者给以2顆星的低分;作者虽然夸奖「精美佈景前,舞者伴着流水般絲巾與扇子呈現如同書法的舞姿」等,但在文章最后作者认为其中两则节目是「华美与宣傳的太奇怪的混合」。[50]英國《每日電訊報》2008年2月一则评论的作者Sarah Crompton以「寓宣传于娛樂」表示反对;作者谈到,大赦国际的报导看来法轮功学员是在中国受到残酷迫害,但她拒绝她认为法轮功所持的有关论点,如同性恋是没落的等等(尽管演出中没有这样的内容);作者谈到,她认为该演出有政治动机,却以娱乐为名,这是她反对的真正原因。作者谈到,尽管大多数中国裔观众在欢呼神韵,但有一些在反对;作者认为,在这样的前提下,谈论这场演出的艺术意义看来是离题的,她只能把演出视作是可怕的「迪士尼化了的中國传统文化版本」。[51]
美国芝加哥每日先驱报2011年4月19日刊登了Scott C. Morgan的评论《尽管有未曾期待的节目,神韵光彩夺目》,作者首先介绍神韵是总部设在纽约的非营利机构,神韵有三个艺术团在作全球巡演,旨在保护、并且通过亮丽服饰和演出以展现中国古典舞的特征和文化。因此,许多源自于中国神话传说和文学的故事,通过民族民间舞或幽默的形式,在神韵舞台上闪耀生辉。作者谈到在某些歌剧演唱充满了中国宗教色彩的歌词,神韵使用其表演艺术的平台为法轮功学员传播信仰。还谈到,在所有欢快节目中,夹杂有数则批评中国在国际上备受谴责的宗教自由和人权记录的节目,称这些节目达不到其他节目的艺术水准,编排夸张简单。作者称尽管如此,神韵演出确实是一个壮丽的奇观,给人留下深刻印象;作者肯定了精心编排的中国古典舞、女高音耿浩然等歌手们的美声唱法及钢琴伴奏家的杰出才能、非凡的东西方合璧乐队、颇具代表性的为宗教信仰自由辩护的方式。作者称唯一意见是「对于在耀目的舞蹈节目中,会出现大胆信仰规劝内容,希望在演出的广告中能更早说明」。[52]
美国《圣安东尼奥新闻快报》2012年5月9日在其官网上刊登一则评论,作者Jasmina Wellinghoff认为神韵「帶有信仰規勸」信息;「大多數節目是有趣的,但是政治、宗教方面稍微有點浓厚。神韵报幕员在舞台上谈论法轮功,而部分舞蹈也涉及这一话题,都直接了當」。[53]
对于为何在演出介绍资料中没有突出法轮功,《温尼伯自由報》引用一名神韻藝術團的製作經理解釋说,法轮功只是该展现中国传统价值观的演出的许多方面中一个方面,如在介绍中加以突出,显得比较偏颇。[54]该经理还表示,藝術團的大部分表演不涉及法輪功所遭受政治迫害,但不少節目包含有法輪功所頌揚的「真、善、忍」这一中国古老传统价值观的组成部分。[54]《温尼伯自由報》引用曼尼托巴大学教授Maria Cheung称,任何把这个演出打上宣传标签,是由于不了解中国古代价值观,而且受中共对法輪功的妖魔化宣传误导。[54]
非营利文化机构Folkloric Productions Dance Co. Inc的执行董事Cathy Skora女士批评一则负面评论,表示该评论者弄错了神韵演出的意义和主题。[55]Skora认为,神韵舞者完美无瑕,无一例外显然高度受训于舞蹈和戏剧;她表示,艺术家的工作是传递思想和主意,在这方面神韵做得非常好,无论个人节目还是团体节目均传达了普适的主题;神韵演出并非宗教宣传,而是最美的文化盛宴...[55]Skora在评论最后表示:作为全球公民,世界通过互相连接提供给了我们前所未有的机会,我们应接受、欢迎、学习和成长;在纽约州水牛城我们是何其幸运,能经历世界向我们展现的象Shea's水牛城艺术中心表演的神韵这样的世界级文化艺术的丰富多彩。[55]
2013年演出
阿根廷第一大日報《號角報》(Clarin)记者Laura Falcoff 2012年12月观看神韵后,在报纸头条发表对神韻藝術團2013年新一季在阿根廷首演的观后感,认为神韵的使命是继承和保持中国真正的正统半神文化,开场的节目非常震撼又充满了神秘,巨大天幕背景中显示从宇宙极限到中国古代的建筑;并表示神韵节目极为丰富多彩:舞蹈、声乐、东西方乐器相结合的现场音乐伴奏,天幕背景无懈可击,演员们从舞台上飞到天上,又从天上飞到舞台。[56][57]
据大纪元对阿根廷相关媒体的翻译报导,神韵在阿根廷的演出吸引了很多阿根廷当地媒体守候在剧场外等待采访有社会影响力的观众,除了《號角報》发表头条评论之外,其中Tempo报在剧院评论版发表头条文章称,「神韵展现了中国不同朝代的故事,无论是舞蹈、服装、天幕……方方面面是超级完美」;阿根廷知名影评人古斯塔沃‧马丁‧思古德义(GUSTAVO MARTIN SCUDERI)观看神韵演出后,在电影评论网站头版发表观后感,称「我们国家,幸运和荣幸的有机会见证2012年12月13日至21日,在花旗歌剧院上演的令人难以置信的、梦幻般令人难忘的神韵,没有文字可以能形容如此重要的事件,可能最好形容词是:太迷人了!」阿根廷音乐先驱杂志评论家巴勃罗‧巴丁观赏神韵国际艺术团的第四场演出后,表示:「演出非常好,这场演出深入西方主流社会,演出并不仅是民族演出,是植根于中华文化的演出!」[58]
加拿大密西沙加新闻网站(mississauga.com),刊登了记者David Paterson观看2012年12月神韵本季度在密市进行的首场演出后,以「壮观演出带你周游中国」为题发表观后感。他提到,神韵既然称要复兴5000中国文化,就应拿出令人赞口不绝(breathtaking)的演出;在这一点上,他认为神韵的音乐和舞蹈表演确实没让观众们失望。作者提到密市首演场中,神韵把中国广阔土地各个角落的音乐、舞蹈和传奇带给了生活艺术中心内暴满的观众;经历400回服饰变化的约100位舞蹈演员、歌手和音乐家,带观众们周游中国、在各地作短暂停留;节目从佛家创世神话,到和尚英雄,到蒙古碗舞,触及了整个历史。对于团体舞,约15位演员绝对同步,作者认为体现演员间互相间最好的合作。男孩们用高能量动作在舞台上模拟战场,而女孩们的舞蹈最令人震撼,她们穿着美丽的色彩在旋转时,她们长长的丝绸袖子在奔腾,她们的服饰也在飞舞,生动刻画了人物形象。作者表示在每个优雅美丽的动作携带着一个锐利的信息,即指控中国共产党摧毁延续了数千年的中国传统文化;节目中有一首歌中提到有关「红祸」(the red menace),有一个舞蹈表现共产党暴徒殴打信仰人士和游客;作者评论说,神韵舞台上每个胳膊每次美丽的挥动,均是对共产政权的一次打击。[3]
相關事件
- 原定於2010年1月27日至31日在香港演藝學院舉行的神韻晚會,香港政府在臨近演出時拒發簽證給6名關鍵技術人員,以致演出被迫取消。香港高等法院在3月9日判決撤銷入境事務處的拒簽決定。[59]
- 2010年6月在美國新澤西州新不倫瑞克州立大劇院(State Theatre)的神韻演出前夕,根據《大紀元時報》報道,中國共產黨特務寫信威脅劇院總裁等,試圖讓此劇院的總裁拒絕讓神韻在該劇院演出。劇院方將信件上報聯邦調查局。[60]
- 2012年3月下旬,根據瑞士媒體《Tages-Anzeiger》報道,中國大使館試圖阻止神韻藝術團在瑞士蘇黎世國會劇院的表演。[61]
- 2012年12月,神韻來到加拿大首都渥太華表演之時,加拿大總督大衛·勞埃德·約翰斯頓 、加拿大總理史蒂芬·哈珀、移民部長贾森·康尼及渥太華市長Jim Watson等一一發表賀信,歡迎神韻再次來加拿大表演。[62][63]
- 2015年關於中共干擾破壞神韻藝術團演出的調查報告
- 《韩国先驱报》2016年3月1日报道称,韩国KBS电视台取消了同“神韵艺术团”所签订的演出合同,同时中断了正在KBS2TV播出的神韵宣传影片。该演出原定于5月6日至8日在韩国首尔KBS演艺厅上演。报道中KBS电视台推广部部长Ahn Hyun-ki否认了来自中国大使馆的压力,同时承认合同取消是因为“神韵艺术团”在签订合同前并未提及其与法轮功的联系。[64]
參考文獻
- ^ 美神韻藝術團抵台 全台38場演出. 臺灣民視FTV. 2015-03-02.
- ^ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 SUSAN HODARA. 5,000 Years of Chinese Music and Dance, in One Night. New York Times. 2010-08-13 [2012-12-27] (英语).
- ^ 3.0 3.1 Spectacular dance show takes you on a tour of China. Mississauga News. 2012-12-21 [2013-01-08].
- ^ 華視新聞:舞蹈配合交響樂 五星級藝術. 臺灣華視新聞台CTS. 2005-03-18.
- ^ 5.0 5.1 5.2 John Wenzel. Chinese New Year embracing tradition. The Denver Post. [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ 中國古典舞簡介. [2012-12-26] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ Adriana Rambay Fernández. Dancing around the world. Reporter staff. 2012-01-22 [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Paula Citron. A dazzling show with a clear message. 环球郵報. 2008-01-22 [2013-01-06].
The show contains 20 numbers, five musical and 15 dance. Of these 20, six show support of Falun Gong (Falun Dafa), which followers describe as a self-improvement meditation practice. The spiritual movement is outlawed in China, where, according to human-rights critics, Falun Gong practitioners have been jailed and tortured. ...Four songs in the show have lyrics that exhort the listener to be both better aware of tyranny and make a stand against oppression. The two dance dramas, The Risen Lotus Flower and The Power of Awareness, depict, respectively, three courageous young Falun Gong women being beaten in prison and a group of Falun Gong followers resisting the police in a park. Needless to say, none of the battalion of choreographers and composers listed in the program currently lives in China. This is a show where the artistic team is all expatriates and the performers are ethnic Chinese born mostly in foreign climes. There are a considerable number of Canadian Chinese in the cast. The show is certainly a spectacle. The production values are grand in terms of costumes and scenic effects, and the performers are all very good-looking and meticulously disciplined. The choreography is based on traditional movement from classical Chinese dance, such as little running steps, angled bodies, knee raises, abrupt poses and showy gymnastics. The core of the style is how the 16 or so dancers are put in patterns to get the maximum beauty out of their stage picture. There are folk dances from Tibet and Mongolia for both the female (graceful) and male (athletic) ensembles, a traditional fan dance and long-sleeve dance, drum dances, a Manchu court dance on tiny shoes and dance dramas. In the latter, an ambitious Confucian scholar receives enlightenment from a Taoist (A Vanished Dream), while two modern "gangsta" street youths (one in a Mohawk) are embraced by Buddhist reverence (The Fruits of Goodness). Nymphs of the Sea, where each of the winsome young women holds a fan with a long train of blue silk, got the most enthusiastic audience reaction. When they wave the fans standing closely together, the material actually looks like a rippling waterfall. The lush and tuneful original music is a fusion, layering a Western orchestra with traditional Chinese instruments. This show is performed to tape, but the banks of sound equipment are state-of-the-art, and the Sony Centre has never seemed so full and sweeping to the ear. The four opera singers are very accomplished, as is young pianist Yan Li.
- ^ 9.0 9.1 Hunt, Mary Ellen. Chinese New Year Spectacular in S.F., Cupertino. San Francisco Chronicle. 4 January 2009 [4 September 2009].
If ancient Chinese goddesses were modernized to the 21st century, one imagines that they would look a lot like Vina Lee, the tall, fine-featured, elegant choreographer and dancer whose artistry graces the Chinese Classical Divine Performing Arts Company....The show - which each year features new entries in a smorgasbord of vignettes - takes viewers on a visually dazzling tour of 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture via bravura displays of acrobatics and grand tales told through flourishes of Chinese classical dance. With hundreds of dancers in two dozen carefully designed, richly costumed pieces - everything from colorful handkerchief dances, Imperial-style dances in high platform shoes, drum dances, folk dances and wushu displays - it's a heady blend of the ancient and modern, of traditional Chinese instruments and their Western counterparts, and contemporary experiences expressed using the formality of Chinese classical dance. The true traditional Chinese dance, Lee says, blends three crucial elements: the yun or manner of carrying one's body, the technique and the physical forms, such as the positions and combinations of movements used in training martial artists. Methods of teaching Chinese dance, Lee says, were rarely written down, but although ways of teaching dance may have changed over time, much of the technique and forms have been passed down from generation to generation through wushu training. "Wushu, or martial arts, used in soft ways is dance, and vice versa," she says. "Martial arts never really changed - it got better, but the style did not change." The yun, however, is a different story. The way a people comport themselves depends on the culture, and China's culture has evolved vastly since the Communist Revolution and the modernization of its society. Some of what makes Chinese yun, Lee says, has been lost in the process. "The modern contraction," she says, tightening her midsection into a curve modern dancer Martha Graham would easily recognize, "is very different from the Chinese curve. It is inhale, exhale - that's a different energy." Without standing up from the cafe table, Lee strikes a subtle but definitely different note, curling and rounding her torso to illustrate what immediately seems - even to an untutored eye - to be a more characteristically Chinese pose, one closer to the graceful statues of goddesses such as Kwan Yin and Ho Hsien-Ku. "Lots of shows claim to be Chinese dance," Lee says. "It's familiar to Western audiences, but they may wonder, why do they do this movement or that movement? Even lots of dancers are confused as to what is real Chinese dance." Lee strikes a pose, covering her face flirtatiously with an imaginary fan. "They may look with the eyes like this," she says, glancing over her fan with a bit of come-hither peekaboo. "But in true Chinese dance, the women are conservative, more shy. They are hiding their faces with the fan," she adds, changing her pose slightly to convey a more delicate sensibility.
- ^ International Incident. The Pacific Northwest Inlander. [15 November 2009].
- ^ Shen Yun Performing Arts, “Tales from Chinese Literature”
- ^ Journey to the West
- ^ Outlaws of the Marsh
- ^ About the Performance
- ^ SUSAN HODARA. 5,000 Years of Chinese Music and Dance, in One Night. New York Times. 13 August 2010.Those stories include the legends of Yue Fei, the Song dynasty general revered for his loyalty, and Mulan, the heroine who joined the army disguised as a man. There is a retelling of a Buddhist monk’s pilgrimage to India, derived from the 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” as well as modern tales like “Astounding Conviction,” focusing on the spirit of a peaceful demonstrator arrested in Tiananmen Square.
- ^ 神韻藝術團. 神韻音樂. [2012-12-26] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ 17.0 17.1 Shen Yun Performing Arts. WHYY. 2011-2 [2013-01-10].
- ^ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Shen Yun Performing Arts presents. pittsburgh cultural trust. 2012-10-30 [2012-12-30] (英语).
- ^ 19.0 19.1 陳蓉. 神韻藝術團亞洲巡演 楊建生等四月來台演出. 中央社. 2007-03-10 [2012-12-28] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ “高音之王”关贵敏. 中国古曲网. [2011-12-28].
- ^ 在藝術表演中重現中國傳統文化—訪神韻紐約藝術團團長張鐵鈞. 中央廣播電台. 2010-03-30 [2012-12-28] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ 22.0 22.1 Joel Markowitz, ‘January Pleasures’, DC Theatre Scene, 28 January 2007.
- ^ Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. Pinterest. [2013-01-10].
- ^ 神韻藝術團. 神韻服飾. [2012-12-26] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS. Progress Energy Center. [2012-01-10].
Even leading fashion designers leave the show excited with new inspiration
- ^ 26.0 26.1 PAULA CITRON. A dazzling show with a clear message. 2008-01-22 [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ 27.0 27.1 Sid Smith. Women flow like water in spectacle. Chicago tribune. 2008-01-28 [2012-12-29] (英语).
In many respects, the Chinese New Year Spectacular resoundingly lives up to its name. The term "spectacular" may whiff of self-promotion, but the show, which played Arie Crown Theater over the weekend, is indisputably a spectacle. Dozens of dancers and musicians flood the stage in a parade of brightly colored, intricately detailed silken costumes, while the instrumentation ranges from traditional drums to bunches of chopsticks.
- ^ Albert Goodwyn. Chinese New Year Spectacular. San Francisco Bay Times. 2007-01-11 [2012-12-30] (英语).
- ^ BWW News Desk. Florida's The Mahaffey Welcomes SHEN YUN Today, 5/5. BroadwayWorld. 2012-05-05 [2012-12-30] (英语).
- ^ Meredith Galante. A Day In The Life Of A Professional Dancer In A Traditional Chinese Company. Business Insider. 2012-01-11 [2012-12-30] (英语).
- ^ 31.0 31.1 Higgins, Beau. 'Holiday Wonders' Chinese Meets West Extravaganza. Broadway World. 15 November 2007 [5 September 2009].
HOLIDAY WONDERS, A GLORIOUS BLEND OF CHINESE AND WESTERN PERFORMANCES, TO HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAY SEASON...In a magnificent landscape of music, song, dance and acrobatics that has for centuries inspired the proud and extraordinary culture of the Chinese people, HOLIDAY WONDERS, an extravagantly beautiful production will for the first time be seen in South Florida in a limited two performance schedule, Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28, at 8 P.M. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Presented by Divine Performing Arts, the family-oriented production will be arriving with an international company of sixty plus whose lavish production numbers, colorful sets, dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography, and booming Tang dynasty drums will reveal the fascinating lifestyle and legendary elegance of the traditional China of yesterday coupled with the contemporary influence of today's Western world. HOLIDAY WONDERS carries with it several internationally acclaimed choreographers whose individual contributions are visualized in large scale dance sequences using dozens of dancers in stunning hand-designed costumes as they perform their dramas of ancient China, its epic tales, myths and legends against exquisite digitally projected backdrops. Among them is the story of the legendary woman warrior, "Mulan," who became the subject of a popular Disney movie. The role will be danced by Michelle Ren, winner of the International Chinese Traditional Dance Competition, and the company's leading dancer. Productions of HOLIDAY WONDERS as well as the internationally famed NTDTV CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECTACULAR, recently seen at New York's Radio City Music Hall, are presented throughout the world including North America, Canada, and countries in Asia-Pacific, and Europe. HOLIDAY WONDERS will be presented, Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28, at the Au Rene Theater. Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
- ^ 32.0 32.1 Wenzel, John. Chinese New Year embracing tradition. The Denver Post. 1 October 2007 [5 September 2009]. 引用错误:带有name属性“denverpost”的
<ref>
标签用不同内容定义了多次 - ^ Elise Knutsen. Shen Yun Performance Brings Out Stars And Awareness. NEW YORK OBSERVER. 2011-07-05 [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ Regina Weinreich. Beauty and the Beast: Shen Yun at Lincoln Center. HOFF POST. 2011-06-24 [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ Washington's NBC 4 Reports on Seeing Shen Yun at the Kennedy Center. NBC 4. 2012-03-25 [2012-12-28] (英语).
- ^ 趙靜瑜. 傳遞真善與真美 提升人類道德 神韻藝術團 台北加演. 自由時報. 2011-04-13 [2012-12-28] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to Greensboro Coliseum on Sept 4. Yahoo. 2009-09-04 [2013-01-07] (英语).
- ^ 38.0 38.1 Reyhan Harmanci. EPIC PROPORTIONS. San Francisco Chronicle. 2008-01-24 [2013-01-08] (英语).
- ^ Rachel Howard. POSITIVELY SHOWY / 'Chinese New Year Spectacular' / New Tang Dynasty Television show jazzes up tradition. San Francisco Chronicle. 2007-01-04 [2013-01-08] (英语).
- ^ SHEN YUN 2015 to Tour California This Winter
- ^ Chinese Culture Alive in U.S.on CNN. 美國有線電視新聞網. [2012-12-27] (英语).
- ^ FOX 5 NEWS: 窺探神韻幕後. 美國福斯國際電視網. 2012-01-13 [2012-12-27] (英语).
- ^ Shen Yun. ticketmaster. [7 January 2013].
- ^ Shen Yun—A global sensation. BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA PORTLAND. [2013-03-20] (英语).
- ^ Dabkowski, Colin. Song & dance spectacular not exactly what it seems. Buffalo News. 30 May 2010 [2013-01-06].
- ^ Richard Connema, Chinese New Year Spectacular Returns to San Francisco, Talkin' Broadway.
- ^ Amorosi, A.D. Divine Performing Arts. philadelphia citypaper. 2008-12-16 [2013-01-07].
- ^ Konigsberg, Eric. A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch. The New York Times. 6 February 2008.
- ^ Susan Walker(Falun) Gong New Year event mere propaganda, The Toronto Star, 20 January 2008
- ^ Mackrell, Judith. Dance review: Shen Yun Royal Festival Hall, London. The Guardian. 25 February 2008-02-25 [2013-01-06].
There are some authentic pleasures to be seen on stage: fierce demonstrations of drumming; a haunting Chinese violin solo; choreographed set pieces in which the sinuous calligraphy of the dancers' bodies is elaborated with rippling silks and fans. But too much of it goes against the troupe's stated commitment to preserve the heritage of classical China. One tableau - Descent of the Celestial Kings - includes a pair of improbably western-looking angels with tinsel halos and wings. Another - The Risen Lotus Flower - shows Falun Gong prisoners being tortured but who are illuminated by a spiritual light that pirouettes around them like a digital Tinkerbell. It is all too weird a mix of propaganda and bling.
- ^ Crompton, Sue. Shen Yun: Propaganda as entertainment. The Daily Telegraph. 2008-02-25 [2013-01-06].
Now it does seem, from Amnesty International evidence, that followers of this group have suffered brutal persecution; on the other hand, I am reluctant to welcome the teachings of a man who believes that aliens live among us and that homosexuality and mixed-raced marriages are degenerate. This seems a long way from the "truthfulness, compassion and forbearance" presented as the group's principles on stage. But what I really object to is that such a politically motivated performance is being smuggled on to stages around Europe in the name of family entertainment. And at the group's first performance in Britain on Friday at the Festival Hall, I was not alone. While many of the audience - the majority of Chinese origin - applauded, others were appalled. In such a context, any judgment of the piece's artistic merit seems beside the point, but it is a horribly Disneyfied version of the traditional Chinese culture it seeks to celebrate.
- ^ Scott C, Morgan. Shen Yun sparkles,despite unexpected agenda. Daily Herald. 2011-04-19 [2013-02-28].
The New York-based nonprofit organization has three companies touring the world, each dedicated to preserving and presenting aspects of classical Chinese dance and culture via lavishly costumed revues. Hence the many geometrically sparkly sequences celebrating ethnic folk dances or humorous story vignettes drawn from Chinese legends and literature in a Shen Yun performance. But mixed in with all the cheerily choreographed numbers are a few pantomimed numbers that are highly critical of China's internationally condemned record on religious freedom and human rights. These protest numbers, along with operatically sung Chinese songs filled with religiously tinged lyrics, quickly make it apparent that Shen Yun also uses its performing arts platform to preach on behalf of followers of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong). ...These wordless protest numbers are also melodramatically simplistic (which could do with Shen Yun's need to easily advocate to an international audience). ... But aside from these quibbles about foisted religiosity and strained humorous narration, Shen Yun Performing Arts does put on quite an impressive spectacle when it sticks to the elaborately choreographed classical Chinese dance numbers. And befitting the opera house setting, Shen Yun also features classically trained singers (soprano Haolan Geng particularly stood out) with grand piano accompaniment. The blended live orchestra featuring Asian and European instruments is definitely a luxury. It's also very symbolic of how Shen Yun Performing Arts is reaching out to a global audience to advocate on its behalf for religious freedom. My only wish is that Shen Yun would be more upfront in its advertising about its unabashed proselytizing amid all the dazzling dance performances.
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值左起第378位存在換行符 (帮助) - ^ Jasmina, Wellinghoff. Review: Shen Yun fun mixed with proselytizing. San Antonio Express-News. 2012-05-09 [2013-02-28].
A lot of it is fun, but the politico-religious aspect is a bit heavy-handed. For those unfamiliar with the movement, Falun Gong — also known as Falun Dafa — is a spiritual practice founded in China in 1992 and later suppressed by the government. The Shen Yun narrators talk about it from the stage and the dance segments dealing with this subject are quite straightforward.
- ^ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Mayes, Alison. The politics of dancing. Winnipeg Free Press. 2010-04-03 [2013-01-06].
- ^ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Skora, Cathy. Shen Yun a Universal Theme (a reader responds). buffalo rising. 2010-05-28 [2013-01-06].
I am puzzled how the reviewer of Shen Yun Dance Company for the Buffalo News' Gusto on Friday May 28, 2010 missed the entire point and theme of this performance. The evening was rich with Chinese dance, music, and culture. The dancers were flawless and without exception obviously superbly trained in dance and theater. The choreography was an interesting array of organic patterns, using multi levels, highlighting soloists, reflecting theme and music, and offered a visual utopia in costume design and the use of fabric and other props with movement. A basic tenant of art from the beginning of time has been to communicate about the world around us. This is a not an artistic downfall. It is the job of an artist to communicate thoughts and ideas.This was done very well by Shen Yun with a universal theme of potential both individually and collectively. The performance by Shen Yun Dance Company was not religious propaganda. It was a lovely evening of cultural dance at its finest, using a theme of Falun Dafa's principles of "Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance". This theme was performed elegantly and flawlessly by well trained dancers. The costuming was oriental, not "over costumed" as stated in the review. If we approach art as open minded consumers we appreciate and learn from it making connections and leaps of thought that assist us in connecting new and different ideas and viewpoints to our own world. In order to fully understand something we need to look at it in context. This performance was a Chinese cultural expression that had a universal theme we can all relate to. That is not propaganda...that is art. And yes, performing groups do market themselves with merchandise, programs, and public relations personnel. And yes, this marketing will be pertinent within the cultural context of the performing group. This should not come as a surprise to a reviewer. As global citizens [it] is our job to accept, welcome, learn ,and grow through the interconnecting opportunities available to us as never before in the global arena that is our world. How lucky we are [that] right here in Buffalo, New York [we are] able to experience the richness of what the world has to offer by our neighbors and by being exposed to world class cultural arts as presented by Shen Yun at Shea's.
- ^ Laura Falcoff. El baile de las tradiciones milenarias. clarin. 2012-12-15 [2012-12-28] (esp).
- ^ Shen Yun en Argentina. clarin. 2012-12-12 [2012-12-28] (esp).
- ^ 神韵阿根廷8场落幕-名流震撼-媒体轰动性报导. 大纪元. 2012-12-22 [2013-01-08].
- ^ 王曼娜. 港拒簽美藝術團入境 法院撤銷. 中央社. 2010-03-09 [2012-12-27] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ 亦平. 神韻舉辦方在美國會曝光中共騷擾 FBI立案. 大紀元時報. 2010-07-02 [2012-12-27] (中文(臺灣)).
- ^ Tages-Anzeiger. China wollte Tanzshow im Kongresshaus verhindern. Tages-Anzeiger. 2012-02-23 [2012-12-27] (德语).
- ^ ‘Absolutely the best’ Show Lights Up Ottawa for Fifth Season. Before It's News Inc. 2012-12-23 [2013-01-09].
As fans and friends look forward to their tradition of seeing Shen Yun over the Christmas and New Year season, Governor General David Johnston sent warm greetings to the participants and organizers today, paying tribute to the delightful and inspiring quality of the show. “We are fortunate to live in such an inclusive society, where people come from all walks of life, carrying with them the memories, experiences, and cultures of their native countries,” he said. “This vibrant blend of customs is cause for delight, as is the occasion of the Shen Yun Performing Arts show, which never fails to inspire us.” The Governor General’s comments echo earlier congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. New York-based Shen Yun has also received high praise from top performing artists, art critics, and connoisseurs of dance and music. Kenn Wells, legendary lead dancer of the English National Ballet Company, was swept off his feet after attending what he called a “magical” performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts earlier this year. “This is absolutely number one, the top one in the world, absolutely the best—no other company or of any style can match this,” he said. Richard Connema, renowned critic for Talkin’ Broadway, has seen Shen Yun three times. “I have reviewed over 3,000 shows since 1942. … I will give this production five stars. That’s the top! … I’ve never seen anything like that. I’ve seen enough Broadway shows that still cannot compare to what I saw tonight.” This is Shen Yun’s fifth season. The company returns to the landmark National Arts Centre in the heart of downtown Ottawa across from Parliament Hill. The show has enjoyed sold-out performances for the past four years in the capital city. In a rare occurrence last year, after tickets to all three shows sold out, the box office opened “standing room” tickets for sale one day in advance of the opening show to meet public demand
- ^ 加拿大總理2012年12月給神韻的賀信
- ^ Lee Woo-young. NY dance company claims China pressure behind canceled show. The Korean Herald. 2016-03-01 [2016-11-27] (英语).