Over 5,000 years the traditions of martial arts, Chinese opera, folk dancing and acrobatics have linked to form traditional Chinese dance. Known for its incredible flips and spins, and its gentle elegance, classical Chinese dance is one of the most rigorous and expressive art forms in the world. Cherished stories from China’s history like the tales of the heroine Mulan and General Yue Fei are told through large scale dance numbers featuring authentically detailed period costumes. The vibrant video backdrop transports audiences through time to ancient dynasties such as the Tang and the Qin, to the mountains of Tibet, the shores of a Dai village and the sprawling plains of Mongolia. The interactive video allows dancers to jump in and out of the screen delighting the audience.
The Shen Yun Orchestra combines the spirit, beauty and distinctiveness of Chinese music with the precision, power and grandeur of the Western symphony orchestra. Traditional instruments are combined with the 5,000- year-old-pipa and erhu resulting in two glorious traditions melding into one refreshing sound. Top composers from around the world create original music for each production. Bel canto soloists perform impassioned songs throughout the show.
China was once known as the Divine Land where deities and mortals coexisted peacefully. The culture of the Buddhist, Taoist and other disciplines along with calligraphy, music, medicine, attire and dance was said to be a gift from the heavens. Today, the Communist regime treats traditional ideas of harmony between heaven and earth as a threat to its existence. The stories once handed down from generation to generation are now forbidden in China.