Cirque de la Symphonie

Two wonderful worlds collide during Cirque de la Symphonie, which is not only a highly entertaining collection of performances, but also one full of incredible talent.  The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has curated a special selection of music to accompany a small group of circus performers, boasting titles like gold medal winner, record-holder and Olympian. 

The Georgia, America-based troupe, donning classic circus glittery outfits, delight the crowd with the most skilful and precise cirque artistry, and with the MSO led by conductor Benjamin Northey providing the beautifully varied soundtrack as the backdrop, it is hard to know where to look. Northey tells the audience the music was selected to capture the "drama, energy and magic" of the circus, and it succeeds in doing so, with recognisable songs like Hook: Flight To Neverland and Danse Macabre, Op.40.

The circus performances range from humorous to sombre, and from gentle to fast-paced.  World famous aerialist Christine Van Loo is perfectly gracious while hanging effortlessly from a purple sash or doing the splits so frequently and flexibly she produces amazed gasps from the crowd. Vladimir Tsarkov is a hoop-juggling, joke-making crowd favourite in a stylish, dazzling clown suit. Cube spinning and wheel-riding Vitalii Buza creates life-like optical illusions and hallucinations on a grand scale. The finale, Strongmen starring Jarek and Darek, ends the show with a bang. The two men, sprayed in gold, resemble Roman gladiators, and have a concentration and strength that is both graceful and stunning. 

Cirque de la Symphonie is a unique visual and auditory treat.