January 7, 2009

(Clearwisdom.net) SAN FRANCISCO--Sometimes the talent that comes to the San Francisco Opera House is made of the stuff the heavens are made of--brilliant stars.

And today's opening performance of the Chinese New Year Spectacular presented by Divine Performing Arts (DPA) celebrated the pure excellence and grandeur of Chinese classical dance accompanied by a live orchestra.

On Wednesday during intermission, the Opera House opened its elegant grand hall, marbled foyers, and sweeping balconies to the audience who came to be immersed in the best of traditional Chinese culture.

Theatergoers hailed the show's performers and their "superb talent."

Ms. Bushman at the Divine Performing Arts show in San Francisco. (The Epoch Times)

"I thought it [the show] was lovely," said Ms. Bushman, a retired professor of chemistry.

"I have actually been to China several times and I think that this is better than what I saw in China. The costumes were flowing and the dancers are so well trained and I am just so happy that I came," she said.

She continued, "I think there is a beauty and softness and the Chinese culture is so long-lived."

The DPA 2009 World Tour began Dec. 19. The Divine Performing Arts Touring Company in San Francisco is one of three companies touring simultaneously in over 80 cities and some 20 countries during the next six months. Together they include hundreds of the world's best-trained classical Chinese dance artists, vocalists, and musicians.

In San Francisco alone, over 100 artists from DPA have come to the San Francisco Opera House. Forty of them are with the live orchestra and sixty artists are dancers and vocalists.

Referring to two of the show's performances, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," and "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain." Ms. Bushman expressed her sympathy with the oppressed people in China.

"A lot of people are concerned about the Tibetans and the Chinese and their lack of freedoms in China."

"Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain" is an energetic piece set in the mountains of Tibet.

"Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution" depicts a painful reality for tens of millions of people in modern China. In the dance, a family is touched by tragedy that turns into hope when the father is persecuted for his spiritual belief in Falun Gong.

"It was very well done," Ms. Bushman said of the story. She understood the gravity of the situation in China when she saw communist party "bullies beating up that man for his belief."

The DPA show continues its dazzling run at the San Francisco Opera House through Jan. 11. The Bay Area shows will continue in Cupertino Jan. 13-15.