WASHINGTON—In the opening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts, The Emperor Ushers in a Glorious Age, a celestial kingdom reveals a great emperor, who divinely bestows human culture—it is a gift from the heavens. It is the scene that sets the stage for the performance, which is filled with heavenly maidens, ancient myths, Taoist cultivators, and dance, lots of exquisite dance.

For Shen Yun’s first of five performances in the nation’s capital, the prestigious Kennedy Center Opera House, located along the Potomac River, was filled to capacity, and D.C.’s cultural and politically savvy audience members found themselves amazed by the quality of Shen Yun.

“I would say it’s phenomenal, fantastic, and awesome! Also very inspiring, very inspiring. I’ll carry that message. Thank you!” said former Maryland State Legislator, Ms. Adrienne Mandel.

“I think it was a tremendous work of art. Besides the choreography the actual colors were just exquisite,” said Carole Fisher, Director of the Arts Cultural Series, State Department.

Ms. Fisher, also a composite painter for the National Portrait Gallery, and a classical pianist, said she especially loved the way the women dancers move. “There was just something about them that was fluid. There was so much that was imperceptible. The subtlety ... It was just amazing, an amazing production, really amazing. The music is wonderful.”

Ms. Anna Auspenskaya a classical pianist, originally from Russia, was deeply impressed with Shen Yun’s successful fusion of Western and Chinese instruments in forming a unique orchestra.

"The show is absolutely beautiful. As a musician I especially appreciate the presence of authentic instruments, and I loved the singers. It was great with the specific tone of voices. Gorgeous music. As a musician, I’m mostly focusing on what’s close to my art," she said.

This season is Shen Yun’s fourth year, and the New York-based company is picking up speed, having received critical acclaim from hundreds of thousand of audience members from around the world. With 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture to draw from, Shen Yun programs are rich and highly varied. The success of Shen Yun in hundreds of cities, among people from diverse backgrounds, shows the transcendent power of traditional faith in the divine to cut through the illusion of difference.

Shen Yun Performing Arts performs at the Washington D.C. Kennedy Center Opera House from Wednesday Aug. 25, to Sunday, Aug. 29, with evening and matinee shows. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Original article: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41615/