SAN FRANCISCO—At the Chinese New Year Spectacular in San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House on Wednesday afternoon Ms. Malione and her daughter talked about their response to the show. “Last year we wanted to bring my mother, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. She was ill and had to miss it. So this year I said: ‘You must see it.’ And this is her first time, and we’re both struck very much by the inner beauty, because as dancers we know it’s not just technique, it’s what you bring from inside. I’ll let mum tell you her thoughts.”
Her mother spoke up, “It was absolutely exquisite, the music, the dancing, the costumes, the colors, the choreography, the precision, we just loved it, thank you so much, it was a very inspiring afternoon.”
Asked if they were professional dancers, she said, “Yeah, sure! Ballet, Spanish, and I did choreography, hotel shows, and traveled.” Her daughter interjected: “She has danced for decades.” The mother continued, “Today was really a treat, thank you so much!”
“Chinese classical dance is just marvelous, their technique is just so clean and so exciting. They’re very strong dancers, and the precision was wonderful. It’s something that we really enjoyed, and I’m thankful that my daughter brought me.”
Mrs. Malione has been dancing for 30-40 years and is now retired. She found inspiration in the thoughts that were put into the routines, and from the ideas behind the dancing that were being portrayed. She said, “They were very spiritual, and we really enjoyed that. There was a lot of deep thinking in what the choreographer presented, so we really loved it.
“It gets more amazing each year; the dancers do more amazing things now than they used to years and years ago. So it was very hard ... and the skills are just marvelous. They’re very powerful, very distinct! Definite in their steps, and their strength is amazing! They really are very versatile also.”
As she talked about the deeper meaning in the choreography she said, “The message lies in humanity and the things that come up in our lives, the way we live our lives, in our families, happiness and sadness. It’s all portrayed in the various scenes that were presented—very expressive—that’s absolutely right! This is a marvelous show, and I hope a lot of people get to see it. We’ll be back next year! Thank you for a wonderful and inspirational afternoon.”
Regarding the music she said, “The music was wonderful, it’s amazing that you have such a big company touring together for the orchestra, and with all the dancers and singers—I think it’s wonderful in today’s economy that such a large company can tour—and the musicians were really wonderful. There are a lot of traditional instruments in that orchestra, absolutely! At first I thought perhaps the show was going to be backed by a large symphony.”
Summing up her thoughts, “It’s a wonderful show, classical, beautiful costumes, beautiful colors and designs. It was kind of a combination of the contemporary—some of those costumes have a contemporary look, especially in the finale.”
When asked what value they got from this show she responded, “The spirit of the dancers was just an inspiration. Their lively spirit and their strength is an inspiration.”
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
