(Minghui.org) The internationally acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts company staged its first-ever show at Canada's Grand Théâtre de Québec, in Quebec City, on January 8, 2013. The show was so anticipated by arts enthusiasts that it sold out three weeks in advance.

The Grand Théâtre de Québec in the City of Quebec. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times.)

One of the many enthusiastic audience members, Richard Jolicoeur—who was accompanied by his wife, Sylvie—was full of praise for Shen Yun, saying it was “truly magnificent.”

“I’ve seen many shows in Mainland China and this one is far superior to what I had seen. I saw the Peking Opera and [Shen Yun] is superior. The orchestra in the pit is exceptional, and then the dancers are truly extraordinary, too” said Mr. Jolicoeur, an electronic music composer.

“The costumes are impeccable. It’s truly a spectacle. It’s grandiose, truly magnificent,” he enthused.

The musician was full of praise for Shen Yun’s unique philharmonic orchestra, which includes Chinese instruments leading the melodies.

“It’s exceptional. It’s truly very effective, exceptional. It’s beautiful, it’s truly beautiful. One can’t say anything other than 'bravo.' It’s magnificent!” exclaimed Mr. Jolicoeur.

Mrs. Jolicoeur agreed. “I find it wonderful. Very, very beautiful,” she said. “Everything is beautiful! Everything is beautiful!”

“Truly the Most Impressive Show I’ve Seen,” Says Dancer and Arts Enthusiast

Former dancer Josianne Roy said Shen Yun was the best dance performance she had seen in her life, after taking in the performance Jan. 8, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec.

Also attending the show was Josianne Roy, a 15-year veteran dancer, who said that Shen Yun left her in awe and disbelief.

Ms. Roy, who sees almost every dance show that comes to town, said Shen Yun was the best she’s ever seen in her life.

“I love dance and this is truly the most impressive show I’ve seen,” she said.

“I’ve never seen such good dancers. The costumes, everything—there are no mistakes, the dancers are perfectly synchronized—it’s incredible!”

Ms. Roy, who currently works as a chemistry teacher, said that based on her technical experience, Shen Yun has surpassed all other performances because it has perfected every element from technique, to story, to emotional expression.

“There is humor, there is everything, really. There is expression in the movements, the synchronicity, the costumes, the agility, the originality, the movements,” she said. “I can’t even believe it!”

She noted that every renowned large-scale performance that she's ever seen has lacked at least one element, such as storyline, vision, or choreography. However, in her professional opinion, Shen Yun is the only show that is “truly perfect.”

Ms. Roy was entranced by the poise, grace, and femininity of the female dancers, particularly in the dance set, Ancient Elegance.

“With their beautiful dresses, I found their performance to be extraordinary,” she concluded.

Ballet Dancer: “I Feel Happiness,” Upon Seeing Shen Yun

Laurence Bastien-Dion enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts at Grand Théâtre de Québec on Jan. 8. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times.)

Having been taught ballet as a little girl, and still dancing 15 years later, Laurence Bastien-Dion's

training has given her a keen eye for dance.

“I feel happiness,” said Ms. Bastien-Dion, upon seeing Shen Yun’s presentation of classical Chinese dance.

She said she marveled at the number of dancers on stage and the incredible synchronicity of the dancers, backdrop, and live orchestra.

“It is amazing to do such work,” she said.

She also noted the many difficult dance techniques saying that she could tell that they required a lot of practice.

“It looks so easy when they do them,” she said.

“And then we always say, ‘When it looks easy, there is remarkable work that goes behind all of that.’ Because it is amazing … to realize how difficult a technique truly is,” she explained.

“[Classical Chinese dance] is very expressive,” said Ms. Bastien-Dion.

She said she was struck by the difference between the male and female dancers, noting that the female dances were more graceful, fluid, and fast, the male dancers were more expressive, humorous, and strong.

One dance set that particular stood out for her was Phoenix Fairies, which she described as “very graceful, majestic.”

She was quick to add that she “adored [every one of the dances] all for different reasons.”

“I am dazzled,” she said of traditional Chinese dance.

“We’ve Never Seen A Show Like That Here Before,” Says Theater Manager, Noting Shen Yun’s Unprecedented Popularity After Sold-Out Performance

The capacity audience at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, seen here after Shen Yun’s performance on Jan. 8, was an impressive showing, said Marcel Dallaire, the theater’s president and manager. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times.)

Theater president and general manager of the Grand Théâtre de Québec, Marcel Dallaire, said that Shen Yun Performing Arts is one of the most successful shows of its kind to grace his company's stage.

“Here, at the Grand Théâtre, this is the first time that it is sold out like this,” said Mr. Dallaire after taking in the January 8 performance which sold out three weeks in advance.

“We’ve never seen a show like that here before,” he said, adding that he could watch the show “again and again.”

“I liked it very, very much—The colors and the dancers are really fantastic, and the music is very beautiful too,” he exclaimed.

“A Very, Very Beautiful Evening”

“I discovered the Chinese traditions [in Shen Yun] with great pleasure,” said Mr. Dallaire.

“I also discovered traditions that are lost a bit in China today. So I find it very, very nice to watch a show like this one and to discover these traditions.”

He said the story-based dance was also easy to understand and “very beautiful.”

Mr. Dallaire was also full of praise for Shen Yun’s music, including its unique orchestra, which blends traditional Chinese instruments—such as the two-stringed erhu—in a Western philharmonic orchestra.

“The music is very, very good and very well managed,” he said, noting that “the musicians are great!”

Shen Yun Impresses Quebec City Officials

Seated in the audience were many senior-level Quebec City officials, including Jacques Faguy, the land management director of the district of La Cité-Limoilou.

He first heard about Shen Yun on the radio and knew that it would be a very special and unique event to see.

“Impressive. It’s also a very colorful and harmonious show, very colorful. And it’s very interesting how they integrate modern technology in the backdrop,” he said.

Mr. Faguy said the backdrops were “magnificent,” adding that “it’s interesting to see the culture that was there before the Communist regime.”

When asked if he would recommend Shen Yun to others, he replied: “This show is for the whole family, from the elderly to the children, because it reminds us a bit the traditional dances from around here.”

Communications coordinator and speechwriter for the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Guillaume Noël, decided to see the show after a colleague introduced him to the traditions of China and its evolution through the centuries.

“I knew nothing about Chinese history, or about classical Chinese dance. I wanted to know more, so I bought tickets and came here with infinite expectations,” he said during intermission.

“I expected dance, but what kind of dance, costumes, and how all this would be conveyed, I truly didn’t have any expectations, and I am now extremely happy,” he enthused.

“The costumes are wonderful, full of colors. There are extraordinary movements and I am quite happy with the performance we are being offered today.”

He was enthralled by Sand Monk is Blessed, a dance set inspired by a story in China’s beloved classical novel, Journey to the West.

The dance highlights the interaction between the dancers and Shen Yun’s state-of-the-art digital projection.

“How did they manage to create the interaction between the dancers on stage who went into the backdrop? … The mix between the two [stage and screen], the transition was very well-done, and this scene really impressed me. I very much appreciated it,” he concluded.

Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/composer-lauds-shen-yuns-orchestra-334276.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/dancer-and-arts-enthusiast-cant-believe-her-eyes-shen-yun-truly-the-most-impressive-show-ive-seen-333988.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/i-feel-happiness-says-ballet-dancer-upon-seeing-shen-yun-334325.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/theatre-manager-says-shen-yuns-popularity-unprecedented-after-sold-out-performance-334008.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/quebec-city-officials-impressed-by-shen-yun-334264.html