***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

the arts in aprilCelebrating Local ArtistsGreat selection of localpottery, glass, craftsand giftwareOffering Jewellery Making& Precious Metal Classes2000 Fernwood Road250.361.3372 • www.shesaidgallery.caCirque de la Symphonie’s Alexander Streltsov and Christine Van LooOak Bay Artists’Studio TourApril 20 & 21Noon-4:30pmPaintings, pottery, jewellerytextiles, photography and more.Tour map available at:recreation.oakbay.caO’Malley’sGreenscapesCertified HorticulturistGARDEN SERVICES• pruning• bed tending• lawn maintenance• what have youBryan O’Malley250.389.1783April 26-28CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIERoyal TheatreCIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE TEAMS WITHthe Victoria Symphony to amaze and delightVictorian audiences for a second time.The concept originated in 1998 when aerialistAlexander Streltsov, from the celebratedMoscow Circus family, performed with theCincinnati Pops Orchestra. Knowing he wason to something, he worked with friend,circus and music enthusiast Bill Allen to recruitother top notch artists from the world ofcirque, and in 2005 the official Cirque de laSymphonie was born.The emphasis on top-notch artists is a keyelement of this particular Cirque manifestation,with aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists,dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmenperforming on stage with, or above, the orchestra.In smaller theatres like Victoria’s Royal Theatre,it’s all up close and personal with absolutelyno room for error. Because of this, producerBill Allen is adamant that the Cirque de laSymphonie is not a place in which to cut one’scirque teeth. So no one has to worry about anacrobat falling into a tuba.It’s all collaboration, from the selection ofthe music, choreography, rigging, to thefinished performance. Each Cirque artist’sperformance is professionally choreographedto classical masterpieces and popular contemporarymusic performed by Victoria Symphony,conducted by Giuseppe Pietraroia.Aerialist and former local girl Shana Lordcomments on the enormous satisfaction shederives from her work with Cirque de laSymphonie: “I love it; personally, I can’t thinkof a better way to perform…It’s nice tocommunicate with the maestro, and they’recommunicating and onboard with you. Theysee your act ahead of time, and they kindof know what you’re doing at what partsof the music. It’s just like a really nice marriage,and when it’s live, it’s that much more fulfillingfor the performer.” And for the audience too,who will witness death-defying musical andvisual artistry.Victoria Symphony Executive DirectorMitchell Krieger also likens the experienceto a marriage: “First of all it’s a great marriagebecause it’s great symphonic music playedby the fantastic Victoria Symphony and spectacularstuff happening in front of the orchestra,and above the orchestra and above the audience!”He does acknowledge a slight downsidefor the musicians who “have to concentrateon their playing and they can’t see what’sgoing on…they can’t catch everything becausethey have a lot of notes to play!”These performances are all entirely newand include aerial performances to Wagner’s“Ride of the Valkyries,” a magic act to Gounod’s“Funeral March of a Marionette,” and thefinale, a beautiful aerial duo to Rimsky-Korsakov’s“Capriccio Espagnol” with Alexander Fedortchevand our own Shana Lord.Performances at 8pm April 26, 27; 2pmon April 28. Single tickets from $35 at 250-385-6515 or visit www.victoriasymphony.ca.—Lisa Szeker-Madden34 April 2013 • FOCUS