神韵艺术团
神韻藝術團是成立於2006年的中國古典舞與傳統音樂藝術團,總部於美國紐約州,藝術家當中包括法轮功修煉者。[1]2019年有六個團同時在世界各地巡迴演出[2]。據其官網介紹,神韻宗旨是復興五千年神傳文化,其「藝術靈感取自儒、釋、道學說發源、發展,是中國傳統文化的真正精髓」。[3]2006年獲《Billboard》雜誌評選為全美七大優秀大型舞台劇[4],常獲世界各地藝術大師的五星級評價[5]。
美國神韻藝術團 | |
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成立 | 2006 |
總部 | 美國紐約迪尔派克 |
業務範圍 | 全球 |
产业 | 表演艺术 |
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 神韻環球藝術團 神韻新紀元藝術團 神韻交響樂團 |
网站 | fr |
《紐約時報》於2010年以〈一夜看盡五千年中華傳統音樂與舞蹈〉報導,指神韵每年在全世界逾100個主要城市巡演(至今未能前往中國大陸演出),2010年演出季,觀眾已超過一百萬。每個分團約100人,包括舞蹈家和音樂家,有獨立的樂隊、編舞、作曲家等,均受過傳統的文化培訓。[6][7]
特點
2024年在全球至少20個國家、200個城市巡迴演出[8]。據神韻官方網站介紹,神韻演出內容擁有多項特點,分別為:
中國古典舞
每一團約有60名舞者[9],演出內容以中國古典舞為主體,輔以中國民族民間舞蹈。
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,形象地介绍什么是中国古典舞及作为其重要成份的『韵』。[10]
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)[11][12]。
中西合璧樂队
神韻艺术团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、等中國傳統樂器。[6][13]
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[14]。[14]
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,比如二胡演奏家美旋、戚曉春的演出。[15]
神韵声乐演员中有男高音歌唱家、中国国家一级演员關貴敏[16][17],有被認為是全球七大女低音之一的唯一华人(德國籍)楊建生等。[15][18]2007年演出的一支独唱中提及轉輪聖王(Chakravartin)。[19]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,以及女高音耿浩蓝等等。[20]
服飾和道具
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。[6][9]
动态天幕
神韻的舞台背景屬於數位動態背景,隨著每一齣不同的劇情而改變,有蒙古大草原、炊煙裊裊的中國小村莊等。[6][21][22]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,讓演員能在天幕與舞台間穿梭,延伸舞台空間效果。[23]
演出團隊
從神韻藝術團於2006年成立以來,持續擴大到7大分團,於北美、亞洲、歐洲、大洋洲、南美洲等地大型城市的劇院演出。
- 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
- 神韻環球藝術團
- 神韻新紀元藝術團
- 神韻交響樂團
- 2012年於紐約卡內基音樂廳首演,2013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。[來源請求]
神韻藝術團登臨的大型戲劇院(表演場地),包括紐約无线电城音乐厅[24][25]、林肯中心[26][27]、華盛頓哥倫比亞特區约翰·肯尼迪表演艺术中心[28]、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[29]、台北國父紀念館[30]、美國加州好莱坞的杜比剧院(原名柯達劇院)。[31]
一群遭中共迫害的修煉法輪功的華人藝術家,2006年在美國紐約成立神韻藝術團[32][33][34]。法輪功是一種精神修煉,1999年被中國共產黨禁止與嚴重迫害。神韻藝術團的宗旨是保護瀕臨滅絕的中國文化遺產[35][36][37]。神韻藝術團表示,演出的所有收益都會返回神韻,用於支付演出藝術家的費用,並支持紐約飛天藝術學院的運作。[38]飛天藝術學院,是西方社會第一所教授傳統音樂、藝術和中國古典舞的綜合性藝術學院,培育出的許多藝術家進入神韻演出。[39][40]
評價
- 《舊金山紀事報》、北加州地区发行量最大报,于2007年至2009年接连三个新年,介绍并赞扬神韻演出。[10][41][42]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。」[41]
- 《芝加哥論壇報》艺术评论家史密斯在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)」。[43]
- 《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年悠久文化的中国。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。[25]
- 《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2008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。[24]
- 《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。[44]
- 《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。[6]文章引述神韵发言人的话:
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。
争议
神韻藝術團在表演中部分內容從評論家與觀眾處收到了不一的評價。[49] 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[50][19],有觀眾對沒有五星紅旗、解放军與中共宣传的演出感到讚賞。[51]
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日以《一场有人难以看下去的中国文化演出》为题描述一中国移民对因事先不知道演出有他所反感的法轮功相关信息,而对神韵不满,[52]《多倫多星報》2008年元月的一文作者曾對藝術團的表演給出1.5顆星的低分,认为太一般。[53]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」。[54]英國《每日電訊報》2008年2月一则评论的作者以「寓宣传于娛樂」表示反对;作者谈到,國際特赦組織的證據顯示法轮功学员確實在中国受到残酷迫害,但她拒绝認同法轮功的一些觀點,例如外星人、同性恋等等(尽管演出中没有这样的内容);作者观察到尽管大多数中国裔观众為神韵欢呼,但也有部分不是如此。[55]
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、并且透過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,透過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」。[56]
神韵的节目当中,有反映中共当局迫害法轮功的内容。[57]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」。[58]
对于为何在演出介绍资料中没有突出法轮功,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。该经理还表示,藝術團的大部分表演不涉及法輪功所遭受的政治迫害,但不少節目蘊含法輪功所頌揚的「真、善、忍」这一中国古老传统价值观的组成部分。温尼伯法輪功協會成員 Maria Cheung 回應称,將这个演出打上宣传标签,是由于不了解中国古代价值观,而且是受中国共产党对法輪功妖魔化的宣传所误导。[59]
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。[60]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,而是以法輪功的「真善忍」建立的極佳文化舞蹈...[60]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。[60]
神韻藝術團的宗旨是保護瀕臨滅絕的中國文化遺產。神韻的大部分節目,都是呈現中國古典音樂與舞蹈,另有一些關於法輪功的芭蕾舞劇,其中一台芭蕾舞劇演繹了法輪功修煉者在中國受迫害的遭遇。[35]網路論壇有些討論的留言表示對神韻表演感到失望,The Hill刊文指出,有些聲音批評舞蹈作品中的宗教或政治信息,此類言論往往源自於中國共產黨政府對該劇的強烈和誹謗性譴責,近年來,中國共產黨對神韻的言論已滲透到西方的批評中。中方一直利用其經濟和外交影響力向世界各地的劇院和政府部門施壓,並擾亂神韻演出。2016年,中共駐韓國大使館威脅要對首爾一家主辦劇院進行經濟報復,迫使演出在開演前幾天取消。2024年,神韻遭到恐嚇、騷擾、團員巴士車輛的輪胎被割傷等仇恨犯罪事件[61][62]。2024年3月,美國聯邦調查局FBI對一系列針對紐約神韻藝術團,以中文做出的炸彈、大規模槍擊威脅進行調查。美國國務院表示,譴責任何國家實施的任何形式的跨國鎮壓行為[63]。2024年8月,紐約時報報導稱,前表演者指控神韻藝術團存在虐待行為,聲稱是被修煉法輪功的家人強迫到飛天上學,演員身體不適時,不鼓勵其就醫,並通過「情感虐待和操縱」他們服從艱苦的排練和巡演安排,通常每天工作15小時,工資低;如果離開會面臨危險,失去(法輪功的)保護等[64],但接受其他媒體採訪的現任、前任神韻演員、學生、教師和家長,沒有一人說他們經歷過《纽约时报》文章所描述這種情況。紐時的文章,被指嚴重依賴一小部分前神韻演員的採訪,他們的離職原因多是違反規定或藝術上未達標準,記者提問的方式似乎旨在誘導對神韻給予負面評論。神韻對有人受傷而未得到治療的說法予以否認,數十位現任、前任神韻舞蹈演員告訴另一家媒體,其中許多人都曾受傷並接受治療,沒有人提到因擔心受批評而不敢看醫生。有幾位演員將神韻非常低的受傷率歸功於定期檢查身體狀況和正確的技術;醫生表示定期提供醫療服務、包括中醫。飛天大學的管理規定,與其它精英寄宿學校的政策並無二致[65]。關於演員的薪水,《纽约时报》混淆了神韻職業演員和學生見習演員,學生需要申請才可能參加神韻巡演,作為實習的一部分;紐時所稱的「薪水」,其實是「見習學生」巡迴演出期間,學校提供的津貼;此外,學校負擔學生入學後一切的學費、生活費、服裝費、食宿費、而且每個月提供補助(subsidy)[66]。
神韻藝術團2024年8月17日的聲明中提到,「神韻在全球為中國古典舞樹立了標竿。要達到這一標準,藝術家們需要具備非凡的自律、高尚的職業道德和奉獻精神。」在神韻工作讓很多人感到充實,在支持藝術家追求卓越的同時,神韻還提供了良好的工作環境,藝術家在全國各地接受最好的醫療護理,而作為課程的一部分,一起表演的學生們得到像家人一樣的關懷,這一切可從數百份感言獲得佐證。但一些報導「污衊我們的使命和信仰」,刻意描繪出一幅針對神韻的令人不安的畫面,這與神韻演員和工作人員的實際經歷完全不符。那些扭曲的描述遠非現實,嚴重歪曲了神韻的企業文化、藝術家的生活品質,以及法輪功信仰的教導和理念。這是對神韻明顯且明確的攻擊,並企圖摧毀由第一代移民和逃離在中國遭受迫害的難民所創建的優秀的美國機構。根據法輪大法信息中心2024年1月的報告,在全球38個國家共記錄了超過130起中共干擾事件,例如虛假訊息、割輪胎、炸彈威脅恐嚇、威脅在中國的親人,神韻成了中共不斷進行的全球恐嚇、脅迫和暴行的目標[67]。
法輪大法信息中心2024年8月8日發佈報告《社群媒體武器化:中共在全球消滅法輪功的新計劃》,援引6月中共省級公安部會議紀錄、7月國營的中國中信集團內部文件指出,中共政府以"消滅"爲目標,正利用社群媒體、搜索引擎,意圖扭曲外界對法輪功的瞭解,並企圖藉此導致相關的神韻藝術表演團關閉。中共藉支持兩名Youtuber散播虛假信息;派特工在法輪功內部製造分歧,挑撥與美國政府關係;還透過搜索引擎優化技術,向西方主流媒體提供誹謗信息。中共安全部門制定了操縱輿論的詳細計畫,以反對法輪功與神韻[68][69]。
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。[70][71]
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的演出。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。[7]
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。[72]
- 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。[73]
- 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。[74]
- 2015年關於中共干擾破壞神韻藝術團演出的調查報告 (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆)
- 《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电视台推廣部部长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。[75]
參考文獻
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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.
- ^ SUSAN HODARA. 5,000 Years of Chinese Music and Dance, in One Night (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆). 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.
- ^ Paula Citron. A dazzling show with a clear message. 环球郵報. 2008-01-22 [2013-01-06]. (原始内容存档于2013-03-10).
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.
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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.
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- ^ PAULA CITRON. A dazzling show with a clear message. 2008-01-22 [2012-12-28]. (原始内容存档于2016-11-27) (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]. (原始内容存档于2013-08-18) (中文(繁體)).
- ^ Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to Greensboro Coliseum on Sept 4. Yahoo. 2009-09-04 [2013-01-07]. (原始内容存档于2013-04-21) (英语).
- ^ Maloney, Carolyn. IN RECOGNITION OF SHEN YUN; Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 41. congress.gov. [4 July 2023].
- ^ Knutsen, Elise. Shen Yun Performance Brings Out Stars And Awareness. The Observer. July 5, 2011 [4 July 2023].
- ^ How the conspiracy-fueled Epoch Times went mainstream and made millions. NBC News. 2023-10-13 [2024-05-17] (英语).
- ^ 35.0 35.1 義大利宗教社會學家、曾任義大利外交部創設宗教自由觀察站主席Massimo Introvigne. Shen Yun: the Show the CCP Loves to Hate. 《Bitter Winter》. 2018-11-15. (原始内容存档于2019-07-14).
- ^ 法轮大法是什么?与神韵有什么联系?. [2024-07-09]. (原始内容存档于2024-07-09).
- ^ 误解二、将神韵演出中出现的法轮功修炼故事视为「政治」. [2024-07-09]. (原始内容存档于2024-07-09).
- ^ Falun Gong, banned in China, finds a loud protest voice in the U.S. through Shen Yun dance troupe. 《Los Angeles Times》. 2016-04-09. (原始内容存档于2024-04-05).
- ^ 「神韵作品」之飞天大学学生作品集(一). 神韵艺术团. [2024-07-09]. (原始内容存档于2024-07-09).
- ^ 神韵艺术家的摇篮——飞天大学剪影. 大纪元. [2024-07-09]. (原始内容存档于2024-07-09).
- ^ 41.0 41.1 Reyhan Harmanci. EPIC PROPORTIONS. San Francisco Chronicle. 2008-01-24 [2013-01-08]. (原始内容存档于2019-11-30) (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]. (原始内容存档于2019-11-29) (英语).
- ^ Sid Smith. Women flow like water in spectacle. Chicago tribune. 2008-01-28 [2012-12-29]. (原始内容存档于2013-12-13) (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.
- ^ SHEN YUN 2015 to Tour California This Winter. [2014-12-14]. (原始内容存档于2019-11-30).
- ^ Chinese Culture Alive in U.S.on CNN. 美國有線電視新聞網. [2012-12-27]. (原始内容存档于2020-01-18) (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]. (原始内容存档于2019-08-19) (英语).
- ^ Shen Yun. ticketmaster. [7 January 2013]. (原始内容存档于2016-03-05).
- ^ Shen Yun—A global sensation. BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA PORTLAND. [2013-03-20] (英语).[永久失效連結]
- ^ Dabkowski, Colin. Song & dance spectacular not exactly what it seems. Buffalo News. 30 May 2010 [2013-01-06]. (原始内容存档于2010-06-27).
- ^ Richard Connema, Chinese New Year Spectacular Returns to San Francisco (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆), Talkin' Broadway.
- ^ Amorosi, A.D. Divine Performing Arts. philadelphia citypaper. 2008-12-16 [2013-01-07]. (原始内容存档于2014-01-01).
- ^ Konigsberg, Eric. A Glimpse of Chinese Culture That Some Find Hard to Watch. The New York Times. 6 February 2008 [2013-01-06]. (原始内容存档于2021-03-14).
- ^ Susan Walker(Falun) Gong New Year event mere propaganda (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆), 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]. (原始内容存档于2013-01-10).
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]. (原始内容存档于2020-12-25).
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]. (原始内容存档于2019-12-02).
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.
- ^ 波士顿观众:神韵演出传递重要信息. [2024-07-09]. (原始内容存档于2024-07-09) (中文(繁體)).
- ^ Jasmina, Wellinghoff. Review: Shen Yun fun mixed with proselytizing. San Antonio Express-News. 2012-05-09 [2013-02-28]. (原始内容存档于2019-11-30).
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.
- ^ Mayes, Alison. The politics of dancing. Winnipeg Free Press. 2010-04-03 [2013-01-06]. (原始内容存档于2021-03-14).
- ^ 60.0 60.1 60.2 Skora, Cathy. Shen Yun a Universal Theme (a reader responds). buffalo rising. 2010-05-28 [2013-01-06]. (原始内容存档于2012年3月11日).
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.
- ^ The real reason communist China is afraid of Shen Yun. The Hill. 2024-03-05 (美国英语).
- ^ Martichoux, Alix. Shen Yun advertises 5,000 years of history in dance. Why does China call it an ‘anti-society cult’?. The Hill. 2024-02-20 [2024-04-19] (美国英语).
- ^ Department Press Briefing – March 27, 2024. U.S. Department of State. 2024-03-27 (美国英语).
- ^ Nicole Hong; Michael Rothfeld. 虐待与操控:前表演者揭露法轮功神韵艺术团内幕. 纽约时报. 2024-08-16. (原始内容存档于2024-08-18).
- ^ 李琳. 《紐時》靠歪曲和過濾信息抹黑神韻. 大纪元时报. 2024-08-19. (原始内容存档于2024-08-20) (中文).
- ^ 連書華. 舞蹈三劍客:紐時報導和我們經歷截然不同. 大纪元时报. 2024-08-21. (原始内容存档于2024-08-21) (中文).
- ^ 關於近期媒體對神韻歪曲報導的聲明. Shen Yun. 2024-08-17.
- ^ 中國政府內部文件泄露 以社媒、假信息詆譭法輪功. RFA. 2024-08-08.
- ^ 新報告揭中共利用社媒造謠詆毀法輪功. Epochtimes. 2024-08-08.
- ^ Laura Falcoff. El baile de las tradiciones milenarias. clarin. 2012-12-15 [2012-12-28]. (原始内容存档于2012-12-19) (西班牙语).
- ^ Shen Yun en Argentina. clarin. 2012-12-12 [2012-12-28]. (原始内容存档于2015-09-24) (西班牙语).
- ^ 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]. (原始内容存档于2014-12-09) (中文(繁體)).
- ^ 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]. (原始内容存档于2020-01-25) (中文(繁體)).
- ^ Tages-Anzeiger. China wollte Tanzshow im Kongresshaus verhindern. Tages-Anzeiger. 2012-02-23 [2012-12-27]. (原始内容存档于2021-01-17) (德语).
- ^ Lee Woo-young. NY dance company claims China pressure behind canceled show. The Korean Herald. 2016-03-01 [2016-11-27]. (原始内容存档于2021-02-07) (英语).