When China Called: Xi'an Day Yi Part 7
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| Entry ticket to performance at Tang Palace Dance Show. Photo Credit: Mohamed Hakim |
The visit to the Muslim Quarters concluded my first day of tours, or so I thought until my guide offered to secure me a ticket and a ride to the Tang Palace Dance Show (The sign on the building. The ticket however has the stamp Shaanxi Grand Opera House, to which you may be more familiar). I accepted.
My guide WeChat-ted me a note to present the staff at the venue when I arrive, because they don’t know English and I Mandarin. That aside, the staff were very accommodating. They flashed a calculator my way. I paid in cash. The fee at the time was 268 RMB. This was my first use of the Chinese Yuan!
The staff then showed me to my seat located to the side of one of three rows of seats occupied by three or four others up-close and personal with the stage. The majority of the audience was there for the food and had their share of the show from their tables in the back.
Do note, per an advisory on the back of the ticket, video recordings of the performance are prohibited.
When I arrived, a solo performer was still playing the Guzheng. The arrangement she improvised beat any piece of live music I ever heard played in the background of a dinner sitting. I dare say, arriving a few minutes early set a very high bar for the show to follow. And I’m glad to share, it did not disappoint.
The posture of the dancers characterized by a bent left arm with the elbow pointing out to the side attracted my attention. I’m still unclear on whether it has any meaning or symbolism. That said, the show itself was very captivating. The opening act was very well thought out and executed. Acts alternated between a dancing performance and a musical one.
Fair warning, Chinese music hit fairly high tones which can stir the very familiar emotion: sadness, or other low-key feelings.
The show lasted an hour and ended with a bang!
This opera house is not too far for a walk to the hotel, which is how I got back.
To be continued...
You can find the previous post in the series at: When China Called: Xi'an Day Yi Part 6
