January 24, 2009
WESTCHESTER, NY.--Two celebrated sopranos, one honored as an Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) woman, the other a critically-acclaimed coloratura soprano, bathed in the beauty of the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor's opening performance held Friday night at the Performing Art Centre, Purchase College.
In unison, both ladies said that the presentation was "unique and very,
very fascinating."
Dr. Gaither-Graves, a classical soprano, who is listed along with other AKA
women such as world-renowned jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, and
Alicia Keyes to name a few, relished the show.
"We thoroughly enjoyed this evening's performance--very lovely, very
beautiful. The colors, the costumes, and the scenery were magnificent, and, of
course, I was very enthused with the drumming, being into music and all,"
she said.
Drums played an integral part in ancient China's rich culture. In the show they
provided the rhythm for a vibrant dance demanding great flexibility and aerial
work fitting a festive occasion.
Dr. Gaither-Graves also commented on the agility and graceful beauty of the
female artists.
"The dancers were very elegant and extremely revealing in what they relate
in their stories," Dr. Gaither-Graves said.
Coloratura soprano Ms. Davis interjected. "I like the flowers, I love the
fans...their smiles, they looked like they were enjoying it--vivacious."
Ms. Davis was referring to a piece in the program "Welcoming Spring,"
a dance that joyfully ushers in the new season after a hard, cold winter. Crisp
movement and bursts of color form the basis of this fan dance.
Dr. Gaither-Graves then talked about "Dignity and Compassion," a
portrayal of the imprisonment of a Falun Gong practitioner tortured to the brink
of death for a belief outlawed in communist China today.
"It was very professional. I enjoyed it very, very much because it related
to humanity and the idea of being able to feel compassionate toward one another,
bringing peace, as well as forgiveness that you express as a human being."
As a vocalist, Dr. Gaither-Graves extolled the soloist soprano, tenor, and
baritone who, with piano accompaniment, sung impassioned arias that evoked a
sense of spirituality, bringing to life traditional Chinese thought and belief.
"Because it is an emotional expression, a human expression, I feel that
they sang very, very much from the heart, the soul," Dr. Gaither-Graves
said.
Ms. Davis, who is perhaps best known for her Metropolitan Opera debut as
"Queen of the Night" in the Marc Chagall production of "The Magic
Flute," complimented all aspects of the DPA performance.
"I enjoyed it--presentation is so important. It is what you cannot give
your audience, that which you cannot feel they felt...they felt every word. They
[DPA artists] knew exactly what they were doing. It was something that they were
making a statement about."
Both congratulated the hosts saying they were "cute."
"They loved what they were doing and they communicated so well to the
audience," Ms. Davis said.
The two singers were also stirred by the "unique and very fine"
orchestra.
Dr. Gaither-Graves said the stringed instruments and percussion worked in
harmony and unison, creating a rhythmic expression that complimented the
dancers.
The two artists also applauded the breathtaking digital backdrops that added a
sense of awe to each staged item.
"I think the screen, the background, how the performers were able to come
directly from the screen and go into the screen was very, very
fascinating," Dr Gaither-Graves concluded.
From the opening gong that heralds each performance to the riveting drum
sequences, soulful erhu solos, hypnotic bamboo flutes throughout,
state-of-the-art digital backgrounds, and the orchestra's expressiveness--all
gave these vocalists with an unforgettable experience.
Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts